[Birdtalk] re:Humming Birds

[Linda Butler]

Bryant,
I live in Pleasant Grove and I've noticed a slightly above average number of hummers. I've seen several black-chinned, broadtail, and one rufous. There's been a large and aggressive black-chin male that's been hogging the feeders. Though the most recent storm may have scared him off. About 4 years ago we had a male rufous that claimed our feeder all summer. He'd drive off any other hummer that dared to attempt to feed. The kids and I dubbed him "King Rufous." It was interesting to see how the birds coped--they'd "gang up" in twos or threes. When King Rufous chased one off the others got a quick nip of nectar before he returned.
Most years the hummers do their courting dives in my back yard. They didn't do it here this year. Actually I saw/heard it only one day. Usually they court over a period of several weeks. I wonder if this warm then hot then cold weather has messed up their instincts.
Linda Butler

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 12:04:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bryant Olsen <bryant_olsen at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Birdtalk] Humming Birds
To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org
Message-ID: <243856.94532.qm at web31403.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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Has anyone else notice a scarcity of Humming Birds this year? Although there are some around, both at home and at the Tracy Aviary Were I Work, there just doesn't seem to be near as many as usual. I noticed the same thing last week in southern Utah. They were there, but not as many as I am use to seeing this time of year. In my yard I have only seen one Black-chined Male. Last Year at this time I had several, Balck-chined and Broad-tailed males and females constanly fighting over my feeder. Maybe just bad luck for me, or has anyone else noticed this?
Bryant Olsen
bryant_olsen at yahoo.com
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