|
Replies: 18
| visibility 2,460
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 3:59 PM
|
|
At my home the Hummingbirds seem to be near the end of nesting.
For yall in Rio Linda, here is how it works:
--- HBs arrive at my place 1st week of April. After the long, impossible flight from South America they are happy to see some nourishment. They soon appear on the porch less as they have come here to breed.
--- They build tiny nests. Like many birds, their job then is to catch insects (protein) for their baby kids. It takes a lot of tiny insects to raise a baby Hummingbird, so they are very busy.
--- Work done, they look for food to fatten up before the long, dangerous journey back to South America.
This is when they are on our sugar water feeders most of the day.
They buzz at each other and guard feeders (so space out many). I believe part of this battle is to toughen up the baby birds. Soon they too will have to attempt that long journey. I notice in my yard toward dark all eat with less to no battle.
Get some fresh food in your feeders and maybe add a couple.
Here is one of my neighbor Carl's best friends hoping to make a meal on my HB friends (and one reason no snakes are welcome in my yard):
|
|
|
|
 |
All-In [25941]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 20623
Joined: 7/31/07
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:06 PM
|
|
I have been looking for an empty hummingbird nest for years and cannot locate one. They are so small and I was told they like to nest over or near water. Don't know but my search continues. I have tried to follow by eyesight where they go when they leave my feeders so I have a few places to investigate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
hummingbird nest
Jul 26, 2022, 4:20 PM
|
|
They nest high, and the nests are about the size of a quarter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3615]
TigerPulse: 98%
Posts: 8864
Joined: 5/16/22
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:07 PM
|
|
Do they like being on the coast or are they inland generally?
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:22 PM
|
|
They are happy both places. One thing is they return to exactly the same spot (feeder or yard) every year. They have built in GPS better than anything man has made.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3615]
TigerPulse: 98%
Posts: 8864
Joined: 5/16/22
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:28 PM
|
|
So you just make sure everytging is all full in March and just wait I bet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
all full in March
Jul 26, 2022, 4:50 PM
|
|
Not just that, but I do that. Every March I remind all my friends (including here) to do the same.
I keep out a couple all year.
In my yard is the Ruby.
After migration have had Rufous stop by into Winter when off course. This is not uncommon in SC.
One December a Calliope (smallest HB) showed up. At the time it was just the 2nd ever recorded inn SC.
Experts wanted to come in to catch and band it, but I would not allow that as Dr Barden told me that might scare him off.
I took care of that tiny guy all Winter by getting out unfrozen food before daylight every morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3615]
TigerPulse: 98%
Posts: 8864
Joined: 5/16/22
|
Re: all full in March
Jul 26, 2022, 4:54 PM
|
|
Thats great. What type of frozen food?
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [10782]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 6140
Joined: 1/28/04
|
Re: all full in March
Jul 26, 2022, 10:43 PM
[ in reply to all full in March ] |
|
last wk. wifey called me out to see this odd looking thing she thought was a humming bird.it behaved a lot like a hb,but didn't quite look like one.she later found out it was some type of moth.had never seen anything like it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend [17766]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 16659
Joined: 9/1/12
|
Up here in SW Michigan we’ve got ours flying around
Jul 26, 2022, 4:10 PM
|
|
Always welcome their arrival. Freak me out some times as they do a fly by and I think they are a giant bug.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [25941]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 20623
Joined: 7/31/07
|
Re: Up here in SW Michigan we’ve got ours flying around
Jul 26, 2022, 4:25 PM
|
|
Thanks for the info Tug.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Medallion [52192]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 23001
Joined: 10/10/11
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:37 PM
|
|
Thanks for the information! I know a bit about hummingbird schedules. You added details that I did not know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [27300]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 10098
Joined: 2/14/13
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 4:53 PM
|
|
after a year or two hiatus the hummingbirds are back nesting in my giant seeet gum tree. They were missed and we’re happy they have returned. That picture is neat, but i wouldn’t let that guy hang out. I’d have to relocate him to the other side of the fence for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
i wouldn’t let that guy hang out
Jul 26, 2022, 5:04 PM
|
|
I get flak as to good and bad snakes.
None are welcome in my yard. There is no such thing as a "good" snake in my yard. They raid bird nests. They eat my frogs.
My yard (1 1/2 acre) is "natural" to the dismay of my neighbors who prefer a nice lawn. One told me it looks "snakey" as he was a yank and knew no better.
I have less snakes than any due to my Bride's cats. Cats purely hate snakes and attack in a group.
Cats will pick at it until they win.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [27300]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 10098
Joined: 2/14/13
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 5:26 PM
|
|
I had this couple decide the ol wood duck box would make a good sex lounge.
https://postimg.cc/xNKCH8fx
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [38588]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 5841
Joined: 12/8/20
|
wood duck box
Jul 26, 2022, 6:16 PM
|
|
One must choose -- do you prefer birds in your yard or snakes?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissioner [934]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 650
Joined: 11/30/98
|
Sad Ending
Jul 26, 2022, 6:52 PM
|
|
I found a HB in my screen porch yesterday. The ceiling is 18 ft so I had no way to shoo him out the open window below. I was hoping he would tire and hover lower and find the open window. Did not happen. Sad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2336]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1302
Joined: 11/7/17
|
Re: Hummingbird update
Jul 26, 2022, 9:17 PM
|
|
Enjoyed reading your post. I enjoy watching the HBs coming to my feeder every year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend [16240]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 12779
Joined: 11/14/09
|
Really appreciate the lowdown on the local summer Hummers.
Jul 26, 2022, 11:05 PM
|
|
We get a good many in our near city yard in Columbia thanks to the jungle like conditions and flora, and they've been aplenty the past few weeks for sure. Plenty of insects in the hood to fuel several broods, and judging by the traffic at the nectar jar of late I'd say they've been gettin' busy during their northern gig.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Replies: 18
| visibility 2,460
|
|
|
50
