Hummingbirds

[TheBee]

Hey all,
The Beloved and I just bought a hummingbird feeder to hang in our new backyard, so I was wondering if any of you outdoorsy types have any advice for attracting them. My parents have a couple of bushes called Butterfly bushes (not sure of the real name) that seem to attract them, and I know they love colorful things, but that's about my knowledge. Anything that's worked for you?
Less than 3 weeks and we'll officially be residents of Ye Olde Hattiesburg! Hooray! :) Hope you're all doing well.

[amanda]

The feeder is all I have ever needed. They can scope them out pretty good without any attractors. :)

[dollfus46]

It's rather late in the season, but Red attracts. I don't use food color in my simple syrup. They'll find it. I put mine out April 1 to catch the scouts who precede the rest coming up from Mexico. I also put out about 6 or 8 of them. The more the merrier.
Simple syrup is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Just bring to a boil for a few seconds and that's all you need.

[TheBee]

Awesome. :) (that was for you, Amanda, sorry it got messed up.)

[TheBee]

It's rather late in the season, but Red attracts. I don't use food color in my simple syrup. They'll find it. I put mine out April 1 to catch the scouts who precede the rest coming up from Mexico. I also put out about 6 or 8 of them. The more the merrier.
Simple syrup is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Just bring to a boil for a few seconds and that's all you need.

Thanks, Dollfus! I figured it was getting pretty late in the summer for them, but there's always next year. :) And thanks for the syrup recipe--I was planning on just using something similar.

[58ford]

Just remember to keep the feeders full, hummingbirds can become dependent on feeders & if you don't keep them full the little fellas can waste a lot of their energy trying to find alternate food.

[TheBee]

Good point--thanks!

[dollfus46]

Yep. I put fresh in every week. Pour out the old, wrench (sic) out the feeders, and refill with fresh syrup.

[mac]

Just remember to keep the feeders full, hummingbirds can become dependent on feeders & if you don't keep them full the little fellas can waste a lot of their energy trying to find alternate food.

Yeah, you've gotta be reliable because they become dependent on you. They are supposedly having a rough couple of years since Katrina completely screwed up their network of reliable places. I only have 1 feeder right now, but I thought I'd just attract a few birds this year, then I plan to put up 2-3 feeders next year. This year I've only got a few birds, but I hope they take up residence here once they know the feeder's permanent.

As far as what to feed them, I have just been using a pre-mix that I bought. My dad has been doing this for years and has dozens of birds at his place, and he mixes his own. I don't know exactly what his measurements are as far as sugar to water ratio. I know he makes it sweeter early in the year because he says they need the extra energy then. After they're established, they need a little less sugar.

[TheBee]

I knew I could count on you all--thanks so much for the tips! I'll probably be harrassing everyone for gardening advice later on, too, as we'll have our first real garden space pretty soon. :)

[mac]

I knew I could count on you all--thanks so much for the tips! I'll probably be harrassing everyone for gardening advice later on, too, as we'll have our first real garden space pretty soon. :)

Stick around. There are lots of folks here who have come through for me with lots of advice on gardening, cooking, etc. Since coming here, I've learned how to edge a flower bed, make a tomato pie, cook a whole hog, retrieve dead things from holes, grow a tomato plant....the list could go on.

[TheBee]

Stick around. There are lots of folks here who have come through for me with lots of advice on gardening, cooking, etc. Since coming here, I've learned how to edge a flower bed, make a tomato pie, cook a whole hog, retrieve dead things from holes, grow a tomato plant....the list could go on.

I'd be perfectly content in life if I never had to learn how to retrieve a dead thing from a hole. Cooking a whole hog's not high on my list either, but everything else sounds great. :)

[mac]

I'd be perfectly content in life if I never had to learn how to retrieve a dead thing from a hole. Cooking a whole hog's not high on my list either, but everything else sounds great. :)
:laugh:

Yeah I was content not knowing too-- until something decided to die in a hole near my house and stink up my entire yard! :smt022

I'm off topic...moving on.

[TheBee]

:laugh:

Yeah I was content not knowing too-- until something decided to die in a hole near my house and stink up my entire yard! :smt022

I'm off topic...moving on.

I remember your post about that...bleah.

[TheBee]

it may be late but the hummers just showed up at my place this week for the first time since Katrina. I have a lot of red flowers of different varieties and that's what iniatially pulls them in. I need to fill my feeders and try to hold them here for awhile so I can try to get some nice pics.

Before Katrina, we had them so tame they'd come right to the patio with us setting 2 ft away, which made it easy to get pics. So far all I've spotted are drab females (I think) and haven't seen the bright green Ruby Throats yet.

There are nector recipes all over the internet.

Y'all post so pics or your Hummers (birds) if you can get them. ;)

Thanks, Hawk--would love to see some of your pics (old and new) if you get them, too! :)

[Pop]

Get Ya a hummer helmet!

http://www.myhattiesburg.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11245/normal_Hummer_Helmet.jpg (javascript:;)

[dollfus46]

I knew I could count on you all--thanks so much for the tips! I'll probably be harrassing everyone for gardening advice later on, too, as we'll have our first real garden space pretty soon. :)

I'll opt out at gardening tips. I can kill plastic flowers.:smt102

[dollfus46]

Stick around. There are lots of folks here who have come through for me with lots of advice on gardening, cooking, etc. Since coming here, I've learned how to edge a flower bed, make a tomato pie, cook a whole hog, retrieve dead things from holes, grow a tomato plant....the list could go on.

Let's not forget the gem that a dead deer is still useful as a sex partner :smt118

[dollfus46]

Get Ya a hummer helmet!

http://www.myhattiesburg.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11245/normal_Hummer_Helmet.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:;)

Pic taken at Whitfield? Is that place still operational?

[Maggie-Doodle]

Hawk, I put my feeders out the second week in March...while I have three feeders out, I have only seen one hummer at one of the feeders...he tasted and left. There are some kind of purple flowers growing in the flowerbed next to where I have my computer and they go there alot...the flowerheads are big and made up of hundreds of tiny little flowers on it. I have counted four hummers flitting around them eating but they don't seem to be going to my feeders...I havn't figured out why. I thought maybe te juice had soured so I poured it out, washed the feeder and put new juice in...nothing! They seem to be ignoring the feeders.

I have a friend in Saucier who has dozens come to the feeder she has on her porch. We can be sitting there and they fly almost up into our faces. A few weeks ago when we were down visiting, my friend had her feet proped up on a bucket and one hummer came and lit on her foot. She has alot of the red throated ones too...so far this year I havn't seen any of those buzzing around the flower bushes. I dunno what gives!

[58ford]

I've got at least a couple of bluebirds visiting my back yard, so I think they're on their way back. No humming birds yet though.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Maggie, I think there's still a healing process going on with wild birds since Katrina. For a long time, about all we saw around here was our resident family of Mocking Birds and House Wrens. I saw the first Cardinal hen last week. Still no Bluebirds or Jays. Did see a Red-Headed Speckled Woodpecker, this morning. My computer also sits in front of a large picture window overlooking the back yard and woods.


I have tons of Cardinals, Doves, Mockingbirds, Orioles, Kingbirds, Chickadees, Titmouses, Wrens, two kinds of Woodpeckers, a few Blue- birds,Hummers, Indigo Buntings, and Blue Jays. We also have a pair of hawks of some kind (so far they have gotten two of the doves while they were feeding). In the creek I often see a Great Blue Heron and a couple of different kinds of Egrets. I call the Heron "747" because of his wing span...which is huge! He walks up and down the creek eating the minnows and small snakes. (thank goodness!)

Immediately after Katrina it seemed we went for months without seeing any kind of birds... I just wish there were more hummers! I do however need to buy stock in a company that sells sunflower seeds...I go thru 20 lbs in a little over two weeks most time. I do grow some sunflowers but NOT near enuf seeds to feed this crew.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Yeah, between my sunflower seeds and the neighbors fig tree the Burg should have some humongous birds flying around! :) I am pretty sure all the birds in Parkhaven are FAT! If not it is THEIR fault!

[ynotme297]

my hummers showed up in force yesterday also. had my feeder out for about a month. red koolaid with a little extra sugar works well.

[Ande']

I have a friend who had a couple of feeders on the edge of his carport. He would get tons of hummingbirds. They got so used to him being out there that they would dive at him and fly super close. One day he stood next to a feeder with his hand up near it and actually caught one of the birds as it was feeding. He said it was pretty neat.

[EricStratton]

Pointy nose....flappy winged....hummer....painful yet ticklish....

[jmb]

I very seldom see them in our yard, but my hairdresser has a flock outside her beauty shop windows. The boys are going tomorrow; I'll see if they can get a pic with one of their camera phones.

[fuzzis]

I had a hummer on the porch (:smt103) when I went home for lunch. It was poking around my hanging strawberry plant.

[Bluesman]

they sure is fast.

[Ted]

I finally got a shot of my Hummer (bird) not blowjob, :kekeke:
What kind is she/he? - - - - -

Probably a female Ruby Throated.

Take a look at This (http://www.rubythroat.org/ChecklistsUSStatesMain.html) - scroll down to Mississippi.

[mac]

I finally got a shot of my Hummer (bird) not blowjob, :kekeke:
What kind is she/he?



I don't know, Hawk, but those flowers are gorgeous.

[EricStratton]

You damn sure didn't sopt'em round de GD peach tree!

Dang, Hawk.....those peaches must ferment quickly.....

[dollfus46]

I finally got a shot of my Hummer (bird) not blowjob, :kekeke:
What kind is she/he?

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x137/mselle01/P1010015.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x137/mselle01/P1010010.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x137/mselle01/P1010005.jpg
According to my research, only one species of Hummer comes into the U.S. and that's the Ruby Throated one. They are indigenous to Mexico.

[dollfus46]

According to Ted's research, you research sucks. Click on the link he provided and scroll down to Mississippi Hummingbirds. Evidently, Mississippi gets 7 different species of Hummers.

Maybe I'm thinking about SC. It only gets one.

[dollfus46]

According to Ted's research, you research sucks. Click on the link he provided and scroll down to Mississippi Hummingbirds. Evidently, Mississippi gets 7 different species of Hummers.
YEP, I had old information. But that it sucks is a bit strong. I wasn't off far enough to suck. Heh heh heh.There are about 16 species of hummingbirds in the U.S. and Canada. It was traditionally thought that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (http://www.wbu.com/pics/hummbird.htm) were the only Hummingbird found east of the Mississippi River, however, recent bird banding research has documented 11 other species of Hummingbirds in the east. While most of these are wandering vagrants, sightings of the Rufous Hummingbirds have become much more frequent during the past few years.

[dollfus46]

I use to get plenty of Ruby Throats but haven't seen any in a long while.

Heck I'd love to see something other than Ruby Throated Hummers. I used to take a huge interest in birding but lost my enthusiasm. same birds kept coming back. Not enough variety and I certainly wasn't gung ho enough to take birding vacations. Just checking what came into the yard. I had/have one of those bird books and I'd mark the date I saw each different species in the book. Hawks flew too high for me to identify them. Only saw one owl, a Bard Owl. Big sucker.

[Comments 2]

Whew! I was worried until I read that many of you are just now catching site of their "hummers" When we moved here last June and put up 3 feeders they were quickly "adopted" and fights ensued. Since we were 6 weeks past last years arrival I wondered where they went and accused a neighbor of stealing mine...she had some she said. However, just yesterday I spotted one of the red throated ones but another one, plain without any markings, was there and shued him off...so I guess they're coming now. So much fun to watch their antics. Does anyone know if they are "on the move" South already and that is why they are just now here??

[EricStratton]

I use to get plenty of Ruby Throat....

I don't know why....but, I laugh everytime I read this post....

[EricStratton]

....Ruby Throated Hummers. .

I laugh even harder at this post......

I guess my wife is right....my brain quit developing around the age of 16....

[dollfus46]

I'm going afield, birding, on Sept 1 but won't be carrying binoculars, if you know what i mean. I hopes dey is all shades of gray. :frostyang:smt072

YUMMO! Love 'em little grey fellas. Put 'um back in the gravy and serve 'um over rice.

[dollfus46]

I laugh even harder at this post......

I guess my wife is right....my brain quit developing around the age of 16....
Heh heh heh. My brain only has you by about two years.

[countrygirl]

In the past, I have had many hummers. I had one feeder that was located on my deck that I could look out from several directions to watch them feeding. I was amazed that during Katrina, they never stopped feeding or flying into the storm. How did they continue to fly and feed in that wind? It was amazing. I continued to feed them after the storm for a couple of weeks by making syrup on my grill. I left town to go somewhere with electricity and the feeders were not filled. I still have a few hummers now, but not like I used to...at one point, I filled three large feeders about every other day and not I fill them about once a week

[Fish-Bait]

Hummin' birds are really hard to hit with a Daisy Red Rider BB gun...just ask Jr., he's been workin' on his aim behind my back....took care of that though...:smt118























I bought him a shotgun.....j/k!:-D

[carsalesguy]

hattiesburg hummer:
http://the-world-in-focus.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/37277545.jpg


petal/barrontown hummer:

http://www.beersex.net/pictures/file/trailer_trash.jpg

oak grove hummer:
http://www.vintageshastas.com/Newsletter/NewsFall05/ttII-40sm.jpg

[dollfus46]

Hummin' birds are really hard to hit with a Daisy Red Rider BB gun...just ask Jr., he's been workin' on his aim behind my back....took care of that though..

I bought him a shotgun.....j/k!:-D

I don't care who you are. THAT'S funny right there!!-Larry:clap::clap::clap:

[carsalesguy]

oh, and i forgot stratton's personal hummer:

http://trailertrashale.com/imagez/leader.jpg

[dollfus46]

oh, and i forgot stratton's personal hummer:

http://trailertrashale.com/imagez/leader.jpg
Dayum! She's ugly!