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Post by cunzun on Feb 26, 2014 22:34:10 GMT -5
I have 4 hummingbird that are living in my yard at the moment. I have 3 feeders and plenty of flowers everywhere. Should I take down some feeders so the birds hit the flowers more? I have one bird that only like the feeder it seems the other birds hit both feeder and flowers but just wanted to get your thoughts on this? I almost feel they are getting hook on the feeders more then the flowers even though I have their favorite’s plants all over the yard. thanks!
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Post by Steve Backes on Feb 27, 2014 0:01:57 GMT -5
At this point they are fattening up and finishing their molt getting ready to migrate north. I would not change anything. The feeders are a quick fill with little effort. When they are trying to build the fat that will be used to get through their northward migration, the less energy spent nourishing the better. They should begin getting less confrontational, spending their time eating and hiding/resting. Wintering hummingbirds will leave Florida sometime between March and May once they've completed their molt.
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Post by cunzun on Feb 27, 2014 22:32:45 GMT -5
Thanks Steve but I'm very lucky that i get to enjoy the same birds from Sept to March these guys don't leave my yard. Does this rule still apply even though they are not just passing by?
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Post by Steve Backes on Feb 28, 2014 6:50:21 GMT -5
Yes. The winter residents (Sep-Mar) are building body mass to support their northward migration. It won't be over water like the southbound migration over the Gulf but they still may have a long way to go. They may be able to feed along the way but don't want to spend the time feeding when conditions are right. They may also run into areas where food is scarce.
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Post by cunzun on Feb 28, 2014 20:10:30 GMT -5
Great keeping feeders up. Thank you for the explanation that make sense.
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