Lord of the Feeder

[ContainerTed]

He's the busiest resident in this neighborhood. This little Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has worked his behinder off protecting the feeder from his rivals, the Calliope (sp.) family that also haunts this area. He sits up in the maple tree with a view of his prize and challenges all who would dare want to sip the nectar.

What a joy to witness his daily antics. I've seen him fend off three opponents at a time in an aerial display of high speed sharp turns and remarkable acceleration. Flairing his tail feathers and with a sharp beak he isn't afraid to use, he has maintained his dominance since he arrived back in late May. The opponents (pixs 2 & 3) still sneak in, but he is in charge. Together, they go thru about 24 ounces of nectar per week. I'm guessing, but I think I have at least a couple dozen that frequent my two feeders.

If you don't have one of these feeders to attract these tiny bundles of feathers, then, truly, you have something to look forward to.

LordofFder1.JPG
Long live the "Lord of the Feeder".

Ted

[tam91]

Oh I absolutely LOVE hummingbirds. I have quite a few.

One year, a hummingbird made her nest on a clothesline, about 4 feet from my door. I had the privilege of watching her rear her young, taking photos every day and some video. I even got video of one of the young leaving the nest for the first time. It was absolutely magical.

They are such fierce defenders of territory - I often look out the window to see a "hummer war".

[cgs]

A couple years ago at my friends place in Colorado, I walked out early to have a banana for breakfast on the porch. There were a couple hummingbirds jockeying for the feeder and then one decides to come over and drill right into the banana I am holding not a foot from my face. Wear eye protection.

[tam91]

Oh, our "mother hummer" would come to the feeder in my hand when I was taking the newly filled one out.

They have the loudest buzz, like a bee on steroids. And I have been scolded by their fairly loud chirps many times.

[ddsack]

I don't dare keep a feeder close to a window because of our cat, but I get hummers in the flower gardens and my hanging plants anyway. The other day, one chased a much larger bird ?chickadee? (it was against the sun, so couldn't really tell) from the flower garden up past the roof of our house, a good 30 yards. It was funny to see the little mite attacking something 5 times it's size, they are aggressive little guys!

[RinTinTin]

When my niece was about 2 years old, she saw one sitting in a link on the chain link fence. She walked over to it and pointed at it. To everybody's surprise, it hopped off of the fence and landed on her finger! She was many years older before she learned that this was not normal behavior.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Got a window feeder for Chistmas last year and it has pretty much just been visited by a female hummingbird but about a week ago a few males found it and it has been game on for defending it. Fun to watch.

Craig

[Timbotide]

We have a few of those little guys around these parts too.
They like to sit on top of a tomato stake and guard the feeder.
That tomato is the first black prince that I have ever grown
and it is over 6' tall.

[gardenpaws_VA]

I've never set up a feeder, but have a lot of hummer-friendly flowers, so usually see the birds every summer. they are indeed cool to watch!