We've been invaded!

[madmikeb]

When we first got to Arizona this spring we put out a hummingbird feeder left it out for a few days but never saw any birds so we took it down. About a week ago I was looking out the window and saw a hummingbird so I put the feeder back out, it attracted a bird immediately. Then there were three and they kept coming. We hung out two more feeders. Now there are 15-20 or maybe more at a time at the feeders and who knows how many there are total and this goes on all day long!

I fill the feeders 2-3 times a day and am going through close to a gallon of nectar a day! Back in Maine if we saw 2-3 over the summer we were lucky, I've never seen anything like this. Between keeping the nectar mixed up, the feeders full, and bringing them in at night washing them and getting ready for the next day and taking care of my 6 cats I guess I've found my retirement job!

 

[Muley Gil]

They are traveling south for the winter.

 

[DWalt]

We put out a small hummingbird feeder a week ago. Bought it at Goodwill for a dollar. They had four of them in different sizes, but we bought only one, the smallest. It seems to be attractive to the little fellows. They are now migrating south. Standard feeder mixture is 4 water to 1 sugar. Nothing else is needed.

 

[LVSteve]

A wave must have come through here last evening or early this morning. All of a sudden my feeders are nearly empty.

 

[Breakaway500]

They have left the northeast as it's been chilly lately. We have about 12 that hang out all summer but as soon as it hits the low 40s..they are gone!

Smart birds.

 

[JET4]

That's a lot of hummingbirds. Before my wife and I moved we had one hummingbird feeder set out. The most we saw at one time was three.

 

[mike4sigs]

They are traveling south for the winter.

YES, However
We still have a couple here in Northeast Indiana.

 

[1sailor]

My cats have been wanting me to purchase a hummingbird feeder, but I suspect they are up to something.

 

[LVSteve]

That's a lot of hummingbirds. Before my wife and I moved we had one hummingbird feeder set out. The most we saw at one time was three.

We have the Anna's Hummingbird here year round. They don't play nice with others. However, every so often a Rufous Hummingbird will set up shop here. They are so aggressive I've taken to calling them the Ruthless Hummingbird.

 

[Retired W4]

This one on the nest outside Tucson.

 

[Greyman50]

We used to get 6-8 per season as they were going N or S. Couple were just downright mean. They would drink and sit on a limb in tree above feeder and run others off.

 

[Onomea]

Amazing little creatures!

 

[TJm15.38]

Those are friendly invaders; I love 'em. They are on the verge of leaving here, but I doubt ours are coming your way. They're headed to Florida and points south.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've got the same thing going on in S. Mississippi. Up until a couple of days ago the most I had was four at one time. Now there are over 20 of them out there on two feeders. Looks like all of them are Ruby Throats.

 

[KAC]

We have a few that stay year 'round, but many more in the past couple weeks. We leave the feeders up at night to feed the bats. They will empty a full feeder in a few minutes.

 

[madmikeb]

We have a few that stay year 'round, but many more in the past couple weeks. We leave the feeders up at night to feed the bats. They will empty a full feeder in a few minutes.

I noticed last night that the bats were at mine so I brought them in. I'm going through enough sugar water just feeding the birds!

 

[john14_18]

Use 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar. Stirring occassionally,boil water for about 2 minutes. Cheaper and a lot healthier for the birds than the nectar.

 

[lihpster]

I'd let the bats eat the bugs. It's a handy service they provide. My mother was always trying to get them to set up shop here. Even put a bat box on the house to try to get them to do so. Never worked. Maybe if she hadn't put it on the side of the house that gets the most sun?

 

[GaryS]

Do they hum because they don't know the words?

 

[Golddollar]

What do you get when you cross a hummingbird with a schoolbell?
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Wait for it
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A Humdinger!

Don't forget to tip your servers.