Hummingbirds

[gravy boat]

My hummingbird feeder was up this past weekend -- no takers so far. Hopefully this weekend will see some activity!

[Mink Islander]

Hummingbirds are also known for stealing bugs from spider webs?? All packaged up like take-out, I guess.

[Pepper]

I hope I'm doing this correctly - I'm going to try and add a link to a site that tracks the "first sightings" of ruby-throated hummingbirds during their northern migration. Here goes: http://hummingbirds.net/map.html
Enjoy!

[DRH]

Pepper -

You did it right! That's a very interesting site.

Our feeders have been out a couple days now but we still haven't seen our first hummer. Once they come, we usually have many of them all summer until they migrate in the fall.

[GWC...]

Anyone try a little Gatorade in the mixture of sugar water?

Also, if the flower is left out of a few holes so that they are larger, the Oriole will utilize the feeder.

They share; but it's best to have several feeders - the hummers tend to be territorial.

[Lin]

Originally Posted by Pepper

I hope I'm doing this correctly - I'm going to try and add a link to a site that tracks the "first sightings" of ruby-throated hummingbirds

Thanks for the site. I really enjoyed reading what kind of flowers and vines attract the Hummingbirds.

[Pepper]

I find one of my best resources for bird information is the Wild Bird Depot in the little plaza across from Shop-n-Save. They've recently launched their website at www.wildbirddepot.com. Additionally, Steve offers an e-mail service called Bird Droppings, which he puts out on a regular basis - it's loaded with timely information. That's where I got the link I posted above. Check out his site, and sign up for the newsletter if you'd like to get info "Just when you need it!" I buy all my seed and feeders and baths there, as he stocks only good quality, and is priced right! In the seven or so years that I've been shopping there, I've gone from having only sparrows, starlings and house finches, to having cardinals, indigo buntings, redpolls, orioles, hummers, gold finches, evening and rosebreasted grossbeaks, juncos, and too many other birds to mention. He offers great advice based on your location, the season, etc. I can't say enough about what I've learned from him, and how much more enjoyable he's made my at-home birdwatching! It's way more than just a store, it's like a resource center for bird freaks. Check it out, or at least check out the site and sign up for the newsletter.

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Hummingbirds are also known for stealing bugs from spider webs?? All packaged up like take-out, I guess.

Hummingbirds use spider web in constructing their nests.

I've left a dead hemlock standing which gets lots of small spider webs spun in its branches in the early morning -- and lots of hummingbird visits during nesting season.

Wonder why other birds don't regularly pick spiders out of their webs. I've do a lot of birdwatching, but only seen it once.

Originally Posted by GWC

...tend to be territorial...

Tend? Tend? The fiercest fights among birds takes place among hummingbirds!

You seldom see two hummers on a feeder at one time. When they defend, you have to follow the "fights" with your eyes set at "hyper-speed". Awesome manuvers.

They also vocalize while they're fighting -- with noisy (for tiny birds, that is) "beeps".

[meredith necker]

There are some birds around that fly almost as fast as hummingbirds. They are larger than humming birds. Does anyone know what they are ?

[mcdude]

I get those beautiful little creatures at my place and I don't even have a feeder. I have two bushy hanging petunias and windowboxes with flowers that the hummers apparently like and visit repeatedly. You can find really nice hanging petunias either here or here Try it!

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by meredith necker

There are some birds around that fly almost as fast as hummingbirds. They are larger than humming birds. Does anyone know what they are ?

Not a lot to go on here, but I stumbled on a few answers in a September 2003 National Geographic.

'Turns out, a hummingbird can fly between 30 to 70 MPH, depending on what it wants to do. When they cross the Gulf of Mexico non-stop, they travel fairly slowly -- 35 MPH.

Lots of birds fly faster. Pigeons can hit speeds of 110 MPH, with merganser ducks (at 100 MPH) close behind. Normally, a peregrine falcon just flaps along at 30 to 60 MPH speeds.

A scientific test to determine exactly how fast a peregrine falcon can fly was conducted by a skydiver. He trained a peregrine falcon to eat pieces of beef from his hand, then jumped off a cliff (presumably properly attired).

He used a meter to scientifically determine that falcons reach 200 MPH. A recording speedometer was attached to the bird for confirmation.

(Here's thanking SS -- in advance)

[RLW]

Our first sighting of our hummers was yesterday with at least one male up here on the mountain. It or if there is more than one were at the feeder all day long and were back again today. Guess we will now have our friends for another wonderful season.

[Jeanzb1]

First hummer appeared at our feeder two days ago (5/7) but haven't seen him since then. Finches are also here.