Hummingbirds

[ChromeScholar]

Here is one of the Anna's Hummingbirds that wintered over at our house.

And a young Rufous showed up yesterday. Which is way early for him to be here. They don't generally show up around here till late May, early June.

 

[ChromeScholar]

Here's the Anna's sitting above us trying to figure out if it's safe to visit the feeders with us sitting on the deck eating breakfast.

 

[Nancy B]

Omg! I love hummingbirds and don't see many in my yard in new England! I planted zinnias last year and plan on planting them this year too! I got two green hummingbirds after planting those, and I only saw those two. Hopefully my flowers will attract more. I have a hummingbird feeder, but that doesn't seem to attract as well as the right kind of flowers.

 

[ChromeScholar]

Omg! I love hummingbirds and don't see many in my yard in new England! I planted zinnias last year and plan on planting them this year too! I got two green hummingbirds after planting those, and I only saw those two. Hopefully my flowers will attract more. I have a hummingbird feeder, but that doesn't seem to attract as well as the right kind of flowers.

They would be Ruby-Throated hummingbirds, which are the only hummingbird species in Massachusetts.

 

[Nancy B]

They would be Ruby-Throated hummingbirds, which are the only hummingbird species in Massachusetts.

I didn't know that! But then I also didn't know there are different types of hummingbirds!

 

[ChromeScholar]

Arizona has 13 different species. Mostly down along the border.

 

[sunnysmom]

Beautiful photos! Hummingbirds are some of my favorite wild birds. On a side note, I just saw a posting this morning that said if you see a praying mantis on your hummingbird feeder to remove it because they will kill the hummingbirds.

 

[Birdbabe]

Your photos are always amazing Dan..thanks for sharing.

 

[Nancy B]

Beautiful photos! Hummingbirds are some of my favorite wild birds. On a side note, I just saw a posting this morning that said if you see a praying mantis on your hummingbird feeder to remove it because they will kill the hummingbirds.

A praying mantis will?!

 

[Toy]

I got to help band hummingbirds one year. It was so neat to actually hold them. You could feel their heart pounding away. I think the bander told me 150 beats per minute. They go into a stupor & just lay on your hand. Then you touch their back & off they go.

Yes praying mantis can catch & eat hummingbirds. Carefully remove from the hummingbird feeder & place on a tree or bush.

If you hang more than one feeder they should be a good distance apart, as they will fight over them. Also never use red food coloring. Hummingbird food recipe: It's a 1-4 ratio. 1 Cup granulated table sugar, 4 cups water. Bring water to boil, add sugar, stir, let cool to room temp. Extra can be stored in the frig for 2 weeks. Change food often, like every 3-5 days, as it can get contaminated by their beaks/tongue. Wash feeders with dish soap or vinegar once per week.

Hummingbirds love flowers that have a tube base. Colors red, orange, pink, lavander will attract them. They love hanging Fuchsia plants too.

 

[Nancy B]

I got to help band hummingbirds one year. It was so neat to actually hold them. You could feel their heart pounding away. I think the bander told me 150 beats per minute. They go into a stupor & just lay on your hand. Then you touch their back & off they go.

Yes praying mantis can catch & eat hummingbirds. Carefully remove from the hummingbird feeder & place on a tree or bush.

If you hang more than one feeder they should be a good distance apart, as they will fight over them. Also never use red food coloring. Hummingbird food recipe: It's a 1-4 ratio. 1 Cup granulated table sugar, 4 cups water. Bring water to boil, add sugar, stir, let cool to room temp. Extra can be stored in the frig for 2 weeks. Change food often, like every 3-5 days, as it can get contaminated by their beaks/tongue. Wash feeders with dish soap or vinegar once per week.

Hummingbirds love flowers that have a tube base. Colors red, orange, pink, lavander will attract them. They love hanging Fuchsia plants too.

Wow thanks for this! I was so excited to actually see them last summer. I had zinnias in my garden and they loved them!