Hummingbird Frenzy Time

We have enjoyed ruby-throated hummingbirds at our feeders since April, and this month we are seeing some migrating birds beginning to vie with the natives for a turn at the sugar solution. This female at left seems at ease and indeed spends some time each day preening and guarding her squatting rights outside the dining room window.

Trying to sneak up on a hummer to take its picture from inside the house is harder than it sounds. As I sat in a chair right at the window, this visiting female stretched her neck and peered at me, ready to fly at a moment's notice. She was probably also watching for a diving run by another hummer, since they defend the feeding sites pretty viciously, resembling small fighter jets in a dogfight.

From the dark markings on its head, I think this one is an immature male, possibly one that was fledged around here in late July, when the adult birds were busy filling up on nectar almost constantly. He was also trying to stake out territory, but another bird chased him away.


A little bit later, this young male or another one managed to perch and drink for a long time. Soon all of the hummingbirds will be migrating south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. They react to day length, so the presence of our feeders won't keep them here until it is too cold for them. The average date for their return in this area is the last week of March. We'll be ready for them!

An informative site about the migration of hummingbirds is run by a local bird bander in nearby Fenton, Mo. Check out Hummingbirds.net at this link.