this AM in Leadville area
Heavy Hummingbird Traffic
- Thread starter jetman
- Start date
Density altitude doesn't seem to bother them
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2020
- Messages
- 2,140
IIRC, red dye is bad for everyone.
We use plain sugar water for our feeder.
man... we never get more than one at a time... there's usually one hanging out near by who has claimed it as his own, and attacks anyone else who tires to take a drink...
Congratulations, you have achieved peak Hummingbird status! I've got two that frequent my feeder but nothing like yours. I make my own food using the 4:1 water/sugar recipe.
They all have pumped up wing muscles.Density altitude doesn't seem to bother them
Very special little birds and so cute. We don't have that many.
Adorkable. Miss seeing these little cuties.
I can't get more than one or two a year. One seems to take control of the feeder and chase all the others away.
I tried adding a feeder last year on the other side of the yard thinking maybe I could get two, and one bird defended both.
I don't think I am putting any hummingbird feeders out at all next year. I have a regular seed feeder and all the birds share. Hummingbirds seem like bullies in comparison.
I tried adding a feeder last year on the other side of the yard thinking maybe I could get two, and one bird defended both.
I don't think I am putting any hummingbird feeders out at all next year. I have a regular seed feeder and all the birds share. Hummingbirds seem like bullies in comparison.
It's just natural behavior for them.
I've put up three, all out of line of sight of each other. When you attract enough hummingbirds over time that behavior will stop, as there are too many birds to guard against , and you put the feeders together.
With 3-4 birds you get those antics.
I realize its likely their genetic code. If grumpy wasn't so territorial then he would maybe find a mate
Anyway, if I were to say put a feeder on each corner of my lot, so that no bird could see two at once, would I not simply then attract 4 birds, all defending their one feeder?
Either way its become too much work for a single hummer. The hummingbird feeding is over this year.
I have one droll yankee feeder. I have at least 10 species of birds eating from it, including a redheaded woodpecker that hangs from the bottom because its too heavy to sit on the spring loaded wires. I also throw seed on the ground for the doves (which the squirrels also eat - nothing I can do). Also get the occasional deer on the other side of the fence - I back up to woods and throw some out there. And an opossum I see late at night. Even caught a armadillo wandering around once.
I’m happy when I see two. That’s amazing.
I have two that fight each other all day .
As of 12 Sep, the swarm I've been feeding left. One or two strays are still around, or maybe they are birds migrating south and stopped by to feed. I'll leave the feeders out for a few more days just in case there are a few more passing by.
Anna's Hummingbirds here in the PNW and they are very territorial. They will sit and watch the feeder and attack any bird that comes in. Hummingbird Dogfights I call them. Part of the reason may be they winter over and competition for food any survival is probably a key. In the winter I bring the feeders in at night so they don't freeze. As I'm putting them out at first light they are buzzing me.
They make hummingbird feeder heaters ... can get them on Amazon. They attach to the bottom and use a low wattage light bulb to keep the juice warm.
