  May
8, 2009 - The ruby throated hummingbird is
back. Other local birders have reported seeing these birds
earlier this spring, as we jealously awaited our own
sighting. Our visitor tested the new red feeder,
but quickly moved around the yard to drink the fresher sugar
water from the orange oriole feeder. Because this feeder was
further afield and it was approaching dusk, the pictures
were rather blurry. He came back for last call to the
first feeder. Before he left for the night, he hovered over
the cotton ball filled with soft nesting material, for
future reference, I hope.
March 22, 2009 - We hung our new
hummingbird feeder in the same location as last year. When we
had put out our first feeder last May 24, 2008, a ruby throated
hummingbird landed on it almost immediately. After changing
feeders several times (leaking and poor camera visibility)
we still weren't happy with the
interference
of the supply
bottle with picture taking efforts (the hummingbirds were
undisturbed by these changes). By the end of last
summer we added more feeding options by planting
flowers and bushes for the natural nectar (the hummingbirds
were delighted with this change).
Even though hummingbirds may be arriving
now, we see no sign of them. We made our own sugar
water and set up the feeder just in case. While we haven't
yet attracted the tiny birds, we also
haven't attracted even tinier bees or ants. The new feeder
is designed to eliminate bug problems. It also won't
obstruct the view of the birds since it hangs by a center
hook the dimension of a wire coat hanger.
I think we found the perfect feeder, now the birds need to
find it.
Normally I love miniature things- from doll house
accessories to tiny collectible stuff. However, I've
never been overly excited about hummingbirds. We had
several sightings last year when they were drinking from, of
all things, the rather pathetic flowers from our overgrown hostas. Ho hum.
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With our newfound interest in all things bird, we put out a
hummingbird feeder. I must confess, we were hoping to further encourage
the Baltimore oriole who had come to eat from a suet feeder.
Within 15 minutes and seemingly out of nowhere, a male ruby-throated
hummingbird flew around the feeder. It was wonderful! After
snapping a few lucky pictures, I was hooked.. They really are cute little
guys.
My gardening friend Paula purchased a tiny hummingbird feeder (about 4
inches tall) she thought would work to "hand feed" her little
birds. She removed her regular nectar feeders that they loved and just
stood still between their usual hanging spots holding the new feeder. She
only had to
wait one minute before she had her first visitor.
When my younger grandgirl Ellery first saw a picture of this type
hummingbird pair in one of my bird books, she thought the girl was
pretty and the boy was too "rainbowish".
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Size:
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Length: 3-4 in
Weight: .11-.12
oz Wingspan: 4.5
in
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ID:
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Male: Iridescent green on head and back; chin and throat (gorget)
fiery ruby red and jewel-like (appears to be black in certain
light); breast white and sides and belly green; bill long, black
and needlelike; long and forked tongue acts as wick and thin
membrane on the edges act as nectar scoop; black feet anisodactylous (three toes point
forward and one toe points backward); forked tail
extends beyond wingtips
Female and juvenile: Lack the ruby throat, having grayish streak
instead
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Habitat:
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Open woods, meadows, flower gardens, backyards with feeders
and trees
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Diet:
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Nectar (uses tongue and long bill to extract from blooming
flowers-especially the red tube-shaped type); sweetened water taken from feeders (attracted to red feeders,
but not red liquid); eats small insects and spiders especially
during nesting and breeding months.
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Promiscuous (male
pursues as many
females as possible); solitary
Local Breeding Period:
Early June
Nests: Female builds deep eye cup size nest of soft plant
fibers, feathers, hair; outside covered in lichen or tree bark
strips for camouflage; spider webbing holds nest together;
usually placed in forked tree branches, but any supporting
structure will do; often return the following spring
Eggs: 2 white, jellybean-sized, elliptical
eggs; incubated 11-16 days by female
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 2-4 weeks; female feeds
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Social Activities:
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Mostly solitary (very anti-social); male very territorial,
driving out competition; females defend nest and food sources
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Range:
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Breeding: Eastern United States and west to the
Mississippi River; southern Canada
Winter: Mexico and South America
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Vocalization:
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Squeaky, rapid chatter and twitter; rapid wing movement in
flight causes a soft buzzing sound
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Lifespan: |
Up to 9 years |
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