Heaps of Hummingbirds

I'm very excited about our experience with hummingbirds so far this year. Early after our arrival each spring at our cabin, I hang two feeders with sugar water from the eave of the roof just outside two windows that overlook the lake. Lots of homes and businesses have feeders out for these little guys, so there is some competition for their attention.

A number of years ago, we had a good population of them, seeing groups of maybe a dozen at a time hovering around the two feeders. They are quite willing to come and go when we are nearby, just so long as we don't do anything startling. I remember standing maybe a foot away from a feeder one time holding Eleanor when she was just three or four, and the two of us watched at eye level with the feeder as the hummers came and went, making their fun buzzing flight sounds and interesting, varied, short chirping noises. We were both awe-struck. Alas, in years since then, the population visiting us has been very small--only a few birds at a time. Always fun, but nothing spectacular.

But wait! They're back! This year, we seem to have an unprecedented number of them. Hard to know how many really, but it feels like there are many dozens of them around constantly. (I'm tempted to say hundreds, but that feels excessive.) I'm so excited, and we are entertained every day, all day. They are either at our feeders or in the trees just off the deck or sometimes perched on our railing or the grandkids' zip line.

They take turns coming and going. Well actually, they compete for turns. At times they are very territorial and will chase each other off for a chance to feed. Males, of course, seem the most aggressive, but the females get their licks in too (pun intended or not as you wish). When it rains (they like rainy, misty weather it seems) and at certain times of day (dusk), there can be large numbers at the feeders. Sometimes every available feeding spot is in use while an equal or larger number hover inches away waiting for a turn. I've had to refill both feeders daily and sometimes more than once. Kathie finally convinced me to make larger batches of the sugar/water mixture so that I can keep up. I'm working through large quantities of sugar, but that's just fine with me. What a treat. Have I mentioned how exciting this is?

Anyway, here is a small grouping at one of the feeders. Honest! Often there are many more there at once, and this is but one of two feeders. (Click on the photo to get a larger view. Use ESC to go back to this page.)

I made the following 34 second video to give you some idea of what the action is typically like. This is at the other feeder, where there is no perch for them. I shot this from inside the cabin looking through the glass. (Sorry about the background TV sound.)

Then this morning, I got the bright idea to make a slow motion video. So here is a portion of that which runs about 90 seconds. I had not anticipated being able to hear the nuances of their various chirping sounds when slowed in this way. There are some fascinating components to their chirps. Interesting things you may see are: better definition to their flying motions, the flaring of lower tails when hovering and confronting each other (an intimidation behavior), ways they change direction or hover, males, females, etc.

Now, if we could just get the evening grosbeaks to return! They were here in large numbers the first couple of years we owned this property, but we have not seen them since.