Hummer Happiness

Droll Yankees Window Hummer 3

Hummingbird migration has been ongoing for some time now.  However, it, as is all of spring migration, is at its peak.  Yet, I still have people asking when to put out feeders.  Or they are remarking that they've yet to do so.  No matter, it is still time, for the little dynamos are always looking for a feeding station.  So, go ahead and open your "restaurant".  You'll be happy you did! (So, will the birds.)

Kingbirdfeeders.com has four different selections of hummingbird feeders. Learn more.

March Migration Madness

March Migration Madness

March 15, 2012, 2012

Hummingbirds are in Texas. Ruby Throats have crossed the Gulf and migrated through Mexico. It's time to get the feeders up! We have some great ones at www.kingbirdfeeders.com.

Droll Yankees Little Flyer-4

Ruby Prism Feeder

Droll Yankees Happy 8 Hummingbird Feeder

Ruby Throats

It has taken a long time to get any decent photos of these little dynamos.  I took these as a cold front moved through our area.  The temperature dipped form 94 degrees F to 52 degrees F in a couple of hours.  This was enough to slow down the activity making these photographs possible.  The promise of rain with this front did not really materialize. 

There are two hummingbird feeders up--one in front and one in back.  Both feeders get activity.  The back one has attracted a crowd with, at least, four hummers vying for the syrup at any one time.

Hummingbird Nest

Eighteen species of hummingbirds are found in Texas. But how often does one find a nest? Well, I have. Pictured is the nest of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Actually, the bird gave it away. I was taking a break from my work at my office window. While looking up I saw a female hummer flying a short back and forth pattern. It perched just to the left of the nest for a few seconds and off it went again. It was enough for me to focus on the nest.


It is just as the experts describe it to be. The nest looks like a mossy ball. It is on a small limb which descends at an angle. And it was about 25 feet up with the ground sloping away precipitously.

 

This locale for the nest explains a curious event I notice several days ago. One afternoon I noticed a Tufted Titmouse being harassed by a hummer. I had never seen this before. The titmouse was on a branch not ten feet from the nest, although I didn’t realize it at the time. The hummer was flying tight vertical circles around the much larger titmouse causing it to jump and reverse its position on the branch. After attempting to keep up with the hummer for a while, the titmouse flew away. All this I know believe was about defending the nest.


The nest, I believe, is empty now. I will continue to fill my feeders, though. Hummers and other birds are feeding like mad these days, trying to fatten up for migration. I’m not worrying about keeping any of the birds from migrating. They will go when it is time. They know.

Fast but Lonely Travelers

Decidedly, fall migration has begun. Hummingbirds are once again gathering at the feeders, fattening for the trip south. Our feeders sometimes have five or six at a time seeking nectar. Even the few flowers left are being methodically visited for a last drink by the birds.

It is amazing that these little birds will practically double their weight at this time in preparation of their long flight south to Mexico and Panama. Their routes require nonstop flight of 20 some hours over the Gulf of Mexico at an average speed of 25 mph. Sustaining that seems incredible. Yet, these little dynamos do and mostly as solitaires. Large flocks of hummers do not occur. Speculation as to the reasons for this lonely migration include the declining populations of insects and flowers that prohibit a large gathering of hummers at one place and time, that large flocks are easier pickings for predators, and the possibility that a single storm could conceivably wipe out an entire hummingbird species.

Photographs by Bill Ravenscroft

Central Texas Hummingbirds

Adult male Ruby Throat

Photo by Karen Arquette

Migration seems to have begun. Karen was reporting that 80 to 100 hummers a day would visit her feeders this summer. Yet, recently, the numbers have dropped to around 30 or 40 a day. Flowers are still blooming. The feeders are still being filled. These jewels are tanking up for their flights south. We will enjoy them all we can.

Immature male Ruby Throat

Photo by Karen Arquette