Hummingbirds Better Than Television

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Hummingbirds Better Than Television

by Nancy Southwood
(Scotts Mills, OR)

I have 2 hummingbird feeders on the overhang of my roof. we put them out every year and document on the calender when the 1st "hummer" appears.

Here, usually March. They are quite fearless of me and my husband. In the evening though is when the most amazing show begins!

Last night I lost count at ten, and the aerodynamics are awesome. we call them our fighter pilots.

I actually got a photo of my husband with his head right at the feeder one year and the hummers were everywhere around his face. I truly enjoy them every spring and summer.

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Hummingbirds Better Than Television

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Jun 24, 2009
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good idea
by: nancy

thank you for the idea, quite honestly I hadn't even thought of putting a feeder much further away.

Jun 24, 2009
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Hummers better than TV !
by: Cindy

They are!
They are the neatest little bird. So fascinating. Little pilots indeed. Like little fighter jets.

However contrary to what the last comment was.. There isn't much you CAN do, other than put a couple of feeders out, apart from each other, just as you have done. I only have two feeders.. but they are spaced quite a bit apart. And no matter how many you put out, those little Annas will try an rule the roost!

I have flowers for hummers.. too.. The Desert Willow, and the Bird of Paradise bushes all around my yard.. Salvia's etc. so there are plenty of places for the little ones to go. This year has been an amazing year for the hummers! I have five different species coming in and out and I think California only has about 15 species. According to my field guide.

They aren't afraid of humans it seems,
they are cautious, but so bold. I have actually been on my way out with a newly refilled and clean feeder to hang.. and one little Annas.. was so excited, it actually landed on it and started drinking, midway there.

So I just stopped and held it and waited for it to finish. I've had them try and land on my fingers.. while placing the feeders.. etc.

I also witnessed a fight between the Costas and Annas. It was terrible.. Clashing beaks tussling through the air together in a wrapped up ball.. and down to the ground.

I felt so bad. I read that a fight rarely ends in the death of one.. or one getting hurt.except for maybe getting skinned up a little if they do take it to the ground as they know their precious beaks are their life source. Thank goodness! Both parted and seemed to be ok. After that.. the Costas used a feeder on one side and the Annas used the other.

I have Orioles, Woodpeckers.. finches and Verdins.. ALL who drink the nectar from the feeders. The hummers sometimes dive bomb the little Verdins.. but then sometimes they all just EAT TOGETHER.

This would go on even if I didn't have feeders, I'm sure.. one species would claim one bush.. while the other.. etc. At least I do everything I can to try and prevent any problems.

They are so amazing and beautiful.. and so very entertaining, I agree with you!! I would have loved to have seen that picture with them all around your husbands head! I loved your joyful letter!

What a blessing to witness them!
Cindy, High Desert mtns. Calif.

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Jun 24, 2009
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Submitted by: Cindy

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They are! They are the neatest little bird. So fascinating. Little pilots indeed. Like little fighter jets. However contrary to what the last comment was.. There isn't much you CAN do, other than put a couple of feeders out, apart from each other, just as you have done. I only have two feeders.. but they are spaced quite a bit apart. And no matter how many you put out, those little Annas will try an rule the roost! I have flowers for hummers.. too.. The Desert Willow, and the Bird of Paradise bushes all around my yard.. Salvia's etc. so there are plenty of places for the little ones to go. This year has been an amazing year for the hummers! I have five different species coming in and out and I think California only has about 15 species. According to my field guide. They aren't afraid of humans it seems, they are cautious, but so bold. I have actually been on my way out with a newly refilled and clean feeder to hang.. and one little Annas.. was so excited, it actually landed on it and started drinking, midway there. So I just stopped and held it and waited for it to finish. I've had them try and land on my fingers.. while placing the feeders.. etc. I also witnessed a fight between the Costas and Annas. It was terrible.. Clashing beaks tussling through the air together in a wrapped up ball.. and down to the ground. I felt so bad. I read that a fight rarely ends in the death of one.. or one getting hurt.except for maybe getting skinned up a little if they do take it to the ground as they know their precious beaks are their life source. Thank goodness! Both parted and seemed to be ok. After that.. the Costas used a feeder on one side and the Annas used the other. I have Orioles, Woodpeckers.. finches and Verdins.. ALL who drink the nectar from the feeders. The hummers sometimes dive bomb the little Verdins.. but then sometimes they all just EAT TOGETHER. This would go on even if I didn't have feeders, I'm sure.. one species would claim one bush.. while the other.. etc. At least I do everything I can to try and prevent any problems. They are so amazing and beautiful.. and so very entertaining, I agree with you!! I would have loved to have seen that picture with them all around your husbands head! I loved your joyful letter! What a blessing to witness them! Cindy, High Desert mtns. Calif.

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Jun 23, 2009
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You need more feeders
by: Bonnie

By the number of fights around the feeder, you should know that you need to place more feeders in different areas around your home. Hummers are territorial, and fight to try to defend their food supply. You don't want them to hurt each other.

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