Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Hummingbird

Musical Chairs Played Hummingbird Style

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I am often reminded of the game of Musical Chairs in August as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appear in large numbers.  They dart every-which-way vying for a seat at the feeder.  Now, let me point out:  There are FOUR hummingbird feeders within 100 feet of each other. I am making nectar by the gallon and filling the feeders twice a day.  These “magical flowers” NEVER run dry, so can they just settle down to enjoy an energy drink?  Nope.  No way!

The nectar feeder featured in the video is the “chosen one”.  Perhaps they like the bell shape of the feeding seats — each with a bright yellow insert.  The unique design of this feeder makes it more difficult for a perched hummingbird to see if another perch is taken.  It seems to me the balance tips at 3; filling that fourth seat almost-always results in all seats being vacated while the intruder is driven away by the other 3 intruders.

As you enjoy a trip down Musical Chairs Memory Lane, note the appearance of a Chickadee (highlighted in the video).  S/he is trying to figure out how to navigate through the hummingbird-swarm while getting from the perch above the hummingbird feeder to the cup of mealworms below.

 

A Few Updates

The last on-camera brood of 2018 fledged successfully late last week.  I was asked how I plan to carry out my threat to relocate a bird family if another nest is started.  It took me a while, but I finally do have a plan.  I’m going to unplug the camera which renders them “gone” to me!

The Grackles are still driving Drake and me crazy, but their numbers have dwindled as their food sources have been “jailed”.  You’ll hear more about that in coming posts.  Sometimes I think therapy might be a better answer to dealing with my empty-nester blues!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Defending His Feeder

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As I sit here in the kitchen writing this post, I am watching a juvenile, male Ruby-throated Hummingbird defending his feeder. I so love watching the Hummingbirds.  Their number has picked up dramatically this past week.  I will never understand why manufactures produce nectar feeders with multiple perches.  Silly!  These tiny, little peanuts-of-a-bird are unquestionably the most-territorial of all the birds on this property.  Once a Hummingbird has dubbed a feeder as his or hers – their day is spent eating, attacking would-be sharers, and perching nearby on guard duty.  I don’t see how they gain weight with all this activity!

So … the little guy outside my window has claimed the nectar feeder attached, via suction-cup, to the window.  I believe this is a juvenile male based on the streaking on the throat.   (Females almost-always have pure, white throats … adult males have bright, red throats.)

Juvenile Probably-Male Ruby-throated

Probably Juvenile Male

Female Ruby-throated

Female

Adult Male Ruby-throated

Male

In the video you will see Mister Hummingbird has perched so he can watch for intruders using reflections in the window – his head moving side-to-side.  (He may also be the only bird on the property who does not see his own reflection as the enemy.)  You will, of course, see his incredible acrobatic skills as he hovers over the feeder to eat – and as he chases off all of the incoming peanuts.  Finally, you will see Mister Hummingbird happily swinging on his personal swing – the perfect sentry post.

FYI:  The hummingbird is the only bird who actually flies backward. There are other birds who can propel backwards, but none other who can fly that way.

 

Other News

After six days of dutifully bringing the Garden Bluebird house inside for the night (and re-hanging it at 6:30 a.m.) all three nestlings fledged on Tuesday.  I was especially happy about my decision to bring the nest box in when, that first night, I captured this scene on camera – about 50 feet from the Garden House pole.

Mr. Bear has moved on again. My aching, not-ready-for-shotguns shoulder is SO happy.  I do have stories to tell though – stand by!

Bear Drinking from Birdbath

The rural Bluebird nest in the East House is the only remaining active nest for 2018 – hatch watch is on.  I say it’s the last nest because, I swear, if any other birds lay eggs in one of my houses this year, I’m going to relocate THEM.  The Pitty and I are ready for a long winter’s nap!

Lastly, a flock of Grackles has descended upon the feeders – driving me even nuttier these past few days. They are not only piggy, but they are also bullies.  I don’t abide either one well.  The stories surrounding their arrival, and my tireless efforts to defeat them, will be funny one day, I’m sure.

I so love the Hummingbirds.