hummingbirds

[Hammer]

Any experts on the little guys here? I am thoroughly intrigued by them. We put out a feeder 2 weeks ago, and they found in less than 2 hours. I have it right by my window at the computer, so I can watch them extremely close.

I think all of them I have seen have been the ruby throated hummingbirds, but I think we have a few other species; is that correct? I like how the males try to guard the feeder and swoop down on others when they try to eat. Funny stuff.

[AteUp]

They are aggressive for sure. I know that you have to replace the nectar pretty frequently. Something about it is bad for them if it's not fresh.

[kycowboy]

they are a lot of fun to watch we have six feeders and they really tear it up

[Duster]

Want to see just how brave they are ?? Go take down a feeder and hold it by your fingertips out about 2 ft from your head. Bet when they buzz in you will jump till you get used to the sound. I have had them eating out of a hand held feeder many times over the years..kinda cool to get one that close.

[westkybanded]

Try a wire coathanger and the lid off a gatorade bottle...

Bend the wire hanger arround your head so that the hook is right in front of your face, and then bend the hook arround to hold the gatorade bottle cap... Fill that with the juice, and sit down.. It's tough!!!

[MsgMills]

Here's a tip to help save a few pennies, insteasd of buying the Hummingbird Nector....Boil a cup of sugar in water and after it cools, place a drop or two of red food coloring in the liquid. This will feed them hungry Birdies.........:)

[kycowboy]

Here's a tip to help save a few pennies, instead of buying the Hummingbird Nector....Boil a cup of sugar in water and after it cools, place a drop or two of red food coloring in the liquid. This will feed them hungry Birdies.........:)
The red food coloring is said to be bad for their kidneys

[quackrstackr]

The ones at my house hit clear nectar like it's going out of style.

The red is only for an attractant but is usually not needed with most of the feeders on the market. There's plenty of red and yellow on the feeder itself for attraction.

The majority of what I see here are ruby throated but you do get different ones on occasion.

Once they really get thick around here, they eat out of the feeders as soon as I walk out the back door with them still in my hand. They can't even wait for me to get them hung back up. :D Speaking of which, all of my feeders kicked the bucket last year. I need to go get some more and get them up.

[Highbow]

We use 1/4 cup of sugar to one cup of water and boil, let cool and you sure don't need any color in it. We have taken many photos of them and my wife has had them on her finger. There was 14 at one time on our three feeders last fall, so far this year we only have three hummies.

[kycowboy]

http://www.hummingbirds.net/index.html
this is a informative site

[MsgMills]

Thanks for da info......:)

[raktrakr]

I'm suprised cssarcher hasnt posted some good pics yet

[huntr467]

Check out these pics of baby humminbirds.
Go to the lower right corner of screen to go to the next pic.
they are incredibly small when they leave the nest..as you could imagine.


http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

[MsgMills]

huntr, those were some great photo's, took a keen eye to spot that nest. I have some sort of nest in one of my Cedar tree's in the back yard. The egg that is left is real small maybe not even barely 1/4" long. White with a few black spots on it. The nest might be about 3 " to 4" across, but the actual hole the egg is in might be about 2"X2". Any clue on the type of bird that is nesting there. Thanks

[huntr467]

huntr, those were some great photo's, took a keen eye to spot that nest. I have some sort of nest in one of my Cedar tree's in the back yard. The egg that is left is real small maybe not even barely 1/4" long. White with a few black spots on it. The nest might be about 3 " to 4" across, but the actual hole the egg is in might be about 2"X2". Any clue on the type of bird that is nesting there. Thanks
Msg, I did not take those pics and I'm not sure of the origin. I received the link in an e-mail yesterday. It was definitely a great series of photos and I'm not sure when the nesting season for humminbirds is. It's possible that could be what you have? When we were clearing some cedars out of some fallow fields on our farm this winter I noticed several of thos small nests in them you are speaking of. Not sure what they are.

[quackrstackr]

Sounds like a finch of some sort.

I think house wrens normally nest in cavities if they can find them and have brown splotches on their eggs.