Hummingbirds?

[abraxis]

I put out four feeders this year compared to my normal two. I thought I would get twice the number of hummers but haven’t seen it. Maybe their young haven’t left the nests yet.

I’ll change the water about every weeks now that daytime temps are in the 90’s. My feeders are underneath open porch eaves, in shade, protected from the ravaging elements. I boil 8 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar and wash off the black sh*t that sometimes develops in and around the devices. I wouldn’t ever use commercial hummer water. It’s loaded with Red Dye #40 and only God knows what else and She’s not talking.

 

[bwcoach]

I now have six out and as I posted earlier I hope it’ll bring more. Still haven’t figured out why things have changed so drastically. We started over 25 years ago with a couple and then kept getting more as the years progressed with the most showing up the year before Covid. Our local bird lady couldn’t believe how many we had. The last really good year we were putting out three gallons a day the last three days when they all ‘gas’ up and then leave. Numbers according to her were around 4-500. 28 feeders. Then it’s like every other year from good to slow and back to slow. Maybe climate change is a factor but I wouldn’t think it would affect the numbers that much. Does anyone know from reading about this have any answers? And I know some of this is repetitive. Sorry.

 

[hookyIU1990]

UW Researcher Studies Why Hummingbird Numbers Are Declining

Hummingbirds have long held a deep fascination with the public, whether being observed hovering and flitting their wings at amazing speeds around bird feeders or admired as symbols of love and peace.

www.uwyo.edu

Hummingbird Species Across North America Are Experiencing Significant Population Changes - Western Hummingbird Partnership

North American hummingbird species are undergoing significant changes in populations, according to new research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports.

westernhummingbird.org

 

[bwcoach]

UW Researcher Studies Why Hummingbird Numbers Are Declining

Hummingbirds have long held a deep fascination with the public, whether being observed hovering and flitting their wings at amazing speeds around bird feeders or admired as symbols of love and peace.

www.uwyo.edu

Hummingbird Species Across North America Are Experiencing Significant Population Changes - Western Hummingbird Partnership

North American hummingbird species are undergoing significant changes in populations, according to new research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports.

westernhummingbird.org

Thanks Hooky. Interesting reading but still haven’t figured why it varies so much from year to year. I guess when you throw in the variables and how things change each year it can have a profound effect on the migration. So if we can go back to predictable weather, get everyone down south to plant the same hummer friendly plants, throw out tall buildings with a lot of glass, stop deforestation ( the dumbass behind us did that), etc then the hummers will return every year. It was interesting to see how, according to their research, the ruby throated declined up to ‘19 but ours increased. I guess it’ll be an easy year. Real pisser though since we jinxed ourselves by buying a 25lb bag of sugar from Sam’s.

 

[Cavanagh]

Ok they are back now that the mad scientist boiled some suggggga. So the ruby necks are male or female?

 

[bwcoach]

Ok they are back now that the mad scientist boiled some suggggga. So the ruby necks are male or female?

It’s like most of the other species of birds the good looking ones are males. So males.

 

[kkott]

Thanks Hooky. Interesting reading but still haven’t figured why it varies so much from year to year. I guess when you throw in the variables and how things change each year it can have a profound effect on the migration. So if we can go back to predictable weather, get everyone down south to plant the same hummer friendly plants, throw out tall buildings with a lot of glass, stop deforestation ( the dumbass behind us did that), etc then the hummers will return every year. It was interesting to see how, according to their research, the ruby throated declined up to ‘19 but ours increased. I guess it’ll be an easy year. Real pisser though since we jinxed ourselves by buying a 25lb bag of sugar from Sam’s.

Mine were really slow to arrive last year, but by about this time, it was more normal, even though I'd guess 25% less activity. There was a big storm down in TX during what would've been their migration, so I figured that might've hurt #s. This year they started off really strong but I don't feel like I'm seeing normal #s again. We're getting steady visits daily, but not nearly as many visits as normal, so I feel like our activity has dropped. I don't get nearly as many birds as you though, and I've heard they generally return to the same area and feeders/flowers. So, if I had 1 or 2 die during the year, who were "regulars" I'm guessing it would really affect the # of visits and sort of thinking that might be what's happened. Hurricane Helene was around Sept 27 last fall and that would have been prime migration time, so wouldn't surprise me if an abnormal # have died over the last couple years.

 

[Cavanagh]

It’s like most of the other species of birds the good looking ones are males. So males.

Figured. Wood duck drakes are unbeatable.

 

[abraxis]

Mine were really slow to arrive last year, but by about this time, it was more normal, even though I'd guess 25% less activity. There was a big storm down in TX during what would've been their migration, so I figured that might've hurt #s. This year they started off really strong but I don't feel like I'm seeing normal #s again. We're getting steady visits daily, but not nearly as many visits as normal, so I feel like our activity has dropped. I don't get nearly as many birds as you though, and I've heard they generally return to the same area and feeders/flowers. So, if I had 1 or 2 die during the year, who were "regulars" I'm guessing it would really affect the # of visits and sort of thinking that might be what's happened. Hurricane Helene was around Sept 27 last fall and that would have been prime migration time, so wouldn't surprise me if an abnormal # have died over the last couple years.

Several years I’ve been sitting on my porch in springtime and have seen the first hummingbird of the year hovering in the exact same position I had yet to put out the feeder from the previous year. It’s like the same hummer is trying to tell me it’s time to juice.

We think of hummingbirds as being so fragile, but evolution has a way of favoring their survival during such an arduous journey across the open expanse of the Gulf of America.

 

[bwcoach]

Mine were really slow to arrive last year, but by about this time, it was more normal, even though I'd guess 25% less activity. There was a big storm down in TX during what would've been their migration, so I figured that might've hurt #s. This year they started off really strong but I don't feel like I'm seeing normal #s again. We're getting steady visits daily, but not nearly as many visits as normal, so I feel like our activity has dropped. I don't get nearly as many birds as you though, and I've heard they generally return to the same area and feeders/flowers. So, if I had 1 or 2 die during the year, who were "regulars" I'm guessing it would really affect the # of visits and sort of thinking that might be what's happened. Hurricane Helene was around Sept 27 last fall and that would have been prime migration time, so wouldn't surprise me if an abnormal # have died over the last couple years.

We had 16-20 feeders out last year. Right now there’s five. Probably have around 10-12 hummers right now. How 100-150 or more aren’t here amazes the crap out of me. Anyone want to buy about 20 lbs of sugar? 😩

 

[OpenWheels]

I have three. Fewest in many years. So didnt bother with another feeder. One female two males. Saw the larger male and the tiny one just sitting on branches right near the feeder watching each other but not chasing the other off when they grabbed a drink. Had never seen that, until yesterday they'd always fight over it. The little one has serious moxie. But the larger had seemed to be the winner of the feeder once he showed up.

 

[kkott]

I have three. Fewest in many years. So didnt bother with another feeder. One female two males. Saw the larger male and the tiny one just sitting on branches right near the feeder watching each other but not chasing the other off when they grabbed a drink. Had never seen that, until yesterday they'd always fight over it. The little one has serious moxie. But the larger had seemed to be the winner of the feeder once he showed up.

Never get more if you don't put out more feeders! I have 3 in front and 2 in back, with a window feeder in each grouping. If you don't have a window feeder, I recommend them. If you stand still, you can be on the other side of the glass watching and the detail is amazing. Their little claws, watching them breath and their tongue work. Amazing little creatures!

 

[Cavanagh]

Found a dead ruby neck beneath a big window of mine. Think I heard him. Very sad.

 

[kkott]

Found a dead ruby neck beneath a big window of mine. Think I heard him. Very sad.

Yep, windows and spider webs can be lethal to hummers.

 

[hookyIU1990]

Yep, windows and spider webs can be lethal to hummers.

It looks tacky AF, but I put some vinyl stickers on my patio slider and another big window that overlooks the back yard feeders. It doesn't completely stop birds from flying into them, but it has made it fewer and farther between.

 

[Mgdriver]

Good idea.

 

[kkott]

It looks tacky AF, but I put some vinyl stickers on my patio slider and another big window that overlooks the back yard feeders. It doesn't completely stop birds from flying into them, but it has made it fewer and farther between.

Stupid birds. I just always ask your wife to open it for me.

 

[hookyIU1990]

Stupid birds. I just always ask your wife to open it for me.

It's never locked when she knows you're in town.

 

[bwcoach]

I might stand corrected. Today I saw quite a few more where there’s 8-10 hummers at a time on our six feeders. I’ll probably put out three or four more tomorrow.