Rufous Hummer

Rufous Hummingbird visiting Ruby Prism Feeder

Feeder available at http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com/07RubyPrismtFeeder.htm ;

fun available in your back yard.

Buff's Your Belly

Anyone who has made a trip to the Rio Grande Valley knows one bird to look for is the Buff Bellied Hummingbird.  It is worth the trip if that’s all you see—but it won’t be.  There is plenty to see and a great number of spots to bird.

Most of us know the few species of hummers that visit our own neck of the woods.  I do everything possible to attract them to my yard.  I’ve gardened to that end, planting xerophytes and native plants over my plot.  I’ve placed three feeders of various types and capacities as well.  One must also provide cover, places where the birds can safely hide and watch their favorite feeder.

Yet, when I go to the valley, I want to see the Buff Belly.  The first time I was so amazed that I sat with my camera in my lap just watching.  Never did take a photograph.  This trip I vowed to get at least one good photograph, and I share it with you.

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.

Hummingbirds are Headed North!

Photograph by Karen Gerow Arquette

John reports they’re in Central Texas:  Mary Ann says they’re in South Carolina.  They’re on the border of New Mexico.  They’re on the way to your place.

Ruby Prism Feeder

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.

Pugnacious Defender

This one has been vigorously defending my front feeder for the past several days, as hummers often do. Actually, it’s the males who are so bent on territoriality. The females, it seems, take advantage of these spats between competing males, sneaking to a feeder once a chase has led the males away.

This one also demonstrates the difficulty we sometimes have in identifying these creatures. It took a while, but several of us emailed back and forth pointing out attributes in support of our various positions. For one, the absence of color on the gorget caused some of us to speculate that this might be a Black Chinned Hummingbird. However, the head is not flat but humped as would be expected for a Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Also, concentrate on the wing in the foreground. Its longest primary (P10) is pointed. The tail is dramatically notched. Again, these suggest a Ruby Throat. Finally, habitat is a clue and we would be wise to pay attention to it. This specimen was photographed in the Lost Pines area of Bastrop, Texas. Black Chins prefer a more open habitat.

So, we conclude this is a Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival 2009

Again this year Kingbirdfeeders.com ventured to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival (RGV) in Harlingen, Texas. RGV is a grand event (no pun intended). This year marks its sixteenth year. Having attended last year as a vendor, I was convinced that it would be a good deal to repeat. Birders and experts come from all over the United States and Canada--some even from other parts of the globe. There are several species of birds particular to the Valley--Green and Red Crowned Parrots, Green Jays, Buff Bellied Hummingbirds, Great Kiskadees to name a few. If you want to see these, a host of opportunity is afforded you.


The trip down can be great for birding, too. The highway between Kingsville and Harlingen often is populated with hawks. It is not uncommon to see Crested Caracaras, Harris’ Hawks, Red Tails, Ferruginous Hawks, and American Kestrels.

When in need of a break from the wonderful birding, RGV offers a great trade show where all kinds of vendors offer equipment, feeders, plants, art, reading material, and information about the area and its refuges, parks, and birding centers. Organizations which support and promote conservation of birding habitats have booths at RGV, too.

When the day is done, there is always good food. One evening we closed up for the night and took the drive to South Padre Island. There we dined on the deck of Amberjack’s. The view of the bay and the cool of the evening made for a grand experience. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious.

For five days, we talked and shared our stories, provided some good products, enjoyed hearing from where people came, marveled at some who migrate to the Valley every year for the winter. And then it was homeward bound. We had a great time; we’re looking forward to next year.

Hummingbird Havens

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have crossed the expanse of the Gulf of Mexico and have been sited all along Texas, Louisiana, and Florida and they are moving inland. The hummers have found my backyard and feeders. It is time for all of us to get our backyards ready for them.

Bluntly put, there is huge fascination for these small bundles. It is just such fascination that fuels the desire to find a way to attract hummingbirds to our yards. How does one attract these amazing dynamos to your yard? It is a question often posed to me, sometimes in earnest and sometimes in frustration.

The solution to this problem is to garden for Hummers. Special attention must be given your choice of flowers and plants for nectar and trees in which to nest. It is important to remember that these birds are visual. They do not rely on odor, for they have no sense of smell. Consequently choose plants with colorful tubular flowers, red flowers being the best. And yes, there are plants that serve to attract butterflies as well as hummers. My preference is to choose native plants particular to your region, for these require the least maintenance and watering.

In the south, Texas Betony, Penstemon, Bee Balm, Blue Sage, Shrimp Plant, and Turk’s Cap are great choices. In the west, Firecracker Penstemon, Obedient Plant, Columbines fit the bill. In the northeast, one might try Fireweed, Cardinal Flower, Bee Balm, and Virginia Bluebells.

Nesting trees include but are not limited to Red Buckeye or Tulip tree in the south and southeast, Desert Willow in the southwest, California Buckeye and New Mexican Locust in the west, and Basswood in the Northeast.

One should offer feeders as well as flowers to these buzzing wonders. True, the birds will be attracted to the flowers and feed on them first. Yet, feeders will augment the food supply and continue to supply nourishment long after the blooms are gone. One should consider, when buying a hummingbird feeder, one that has a large number of ports. The more ports the less fighting will occur among these territorial birds. One even may want to buy multiple numbers of feeders and place them in different location around the yard to lessen this territorial conflict. Place feeders so that there is plenty of room to maneuver and escape for the hummers but close enough for easy access to cover. In other words, it is best if there is 360 degrees of access around the feeder but not too far from a tree or bush into which the hummer can find shelter.

Preparing your garden and feeders is a great outdoor adventure. This is one activity that will provide many months of delight. So, get things humming in your backyard!