This time of year the hummingbirds become thick at the feeders. We have one at our kitchen window, one in the back yard and one in the front yard. All three are the hummingbird/oriole feeder because we have regular visits by the orioles as well.
We’ve had enough traffic at the kitchen window that a 1-quart refill of syrup is necessary every 24-36 hours. The evening feeding is always quite a show of acrobatics, stamina and defensive moves. The female Anna’s hummingbird (back to us) was quite firm in her resolve to stay the perch. This shot shows her allowing an Allen’s to join.
I’ve been watching the feeding ritual for some years now and have noted that when there are 6 or more birds vying for perch time the group will allow 3 to sit and feed at once. If there are fewer than that, one will take it upon him or herself to defend the feeder from all the others. This particular evening there were about 15 birds coming and going. Here, 2 Anna’s, our year-round visitors, and an Allen’s, our summer visitor, feed together. The Allen’s is on the right (below) and easily identified by the rufus (brown) coloring on the belly and neck.
The cooperative feeding-and-flight dance that happens reminds me of the Busby Berkeley choreography of those fabulous 1930s musicals.
Sorry, Mister, not quite your turn yet.
So lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing. I have never seen a hummingbird in real life.
Oh Gurli! I get such pleasure from these tiny creatures that it’s hard for me to think that you’ve never seen them.
Great shots of the fun and games. Our feeders don’t sit quite so nicely, though we probably have almost as many hummers as you do! Keep the nectar flowing!!!
You bet I will!
Enjoyed this beautiful post. I’m still tickled that any hummingbird would choose my yard as home! You’re a busy hummingbird Mom!
Yes, and I love helping however I can.
The politics of hummingbirds. 🙂 They are so fascinating to watch. I got to see a few of these little guys at Franki’s last week. Better than TV! LOL!
They are better than TV, hands down.
Like Gurli, I’ve never seen hummingbirds, so I truly enjoy your posting about them. I have heard that because of weather conditions (drought?) in the US many more birds are not migrating and are relying on compassionate humans to help out. Keep up the good work!
By the way is it a special syrup that you prepare?
I’m not sure about the issue of the birds not migrating but I do know that loss of habitat and drought conditions are seriously affecting many species because they don’t have the food resources they once had. I put out seed for many spices of birds as well as syrup for the hummers and orioles that visit our area to breed. I also have nesting boxes — as you know from previous postings — and water features that allow bathing and drinking. I went to the trouble of following the guidelines set by the National Wildlife Federation and had our yard certified as a Wildlife Habitat. The syrup that I prepare consists of 1/4 C sugar for every cup of water.
Great pictures. Love those little guys.
Franki, This is so amazing. I’ve only had one hummingbird this season. Enjoy!
We had very few visitors last year. We’re so happy to see the usual numbers back again.