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Post by Shirley Giles on Sept 18, 2010 18:32:28 GMT -5
I live in south Lakeland, Florida. I just saw a ruby throated hummingbird with a broken lower bill...so sad. I have at least three hummers (one male, and several immature males or females. They've been in the feeder for the last week and prior to that in the flowers. I pretty much have the year round, but I didn't see them Apr. or May much. Perhaps that was because they were nesting?
Shirley
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Post by Steve Backes on Sept 19, 2010 9:40:20 GMT -5
I've seen quite a few hummers with broken bills. I recently read a post on another forum by a rehabber that some of these broken bills do grow back. I had an adult male Ruby-throat with a broken bill spend a full winter in my yard, November of 2008 to May of 2009. Here's a photo of him finishing his molt just before he left. His tongue hung out the whole time and he was stilll able to feed. Steve
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Post by shirley giles on Sept 19, 2010 10:20:08 GMT -5
My little injured female is getting weaker and weaker. I think the injury is just too extensive.
I have at least one immature male and one mature male.
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Post by Steve Backes on Sept 19, 2010 11:37:14 GMT -5
If the tongue is damaged, it may not be able to feed properly. In the case of the one in my yard, the tongue hung out but it still functioned. It may have unseen internal damage depending on the accident that resulted in the broken bill.
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Post by moboston on Sept 27, 2010 13:14:50 GMT -5
How is your injured female doing? I also live in South Lakeland. Would love to share hummer stories with you. If interested, contact me here and I will give you my email address. My friend and I had the banders come through in the winter to band some of our birds. I really learned alot about them from taking with the banders and actually got to hold a hummer in my hand. So cool!
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Post by lilyopath on Oct 24, 2010 12:08:08 GMT -5
I think she lived about a day after her injury and, then, died because she couldn't feed.
I still have hummers...at least two. One is for sure a male.
I'd say I have quite a bit of hummingbird activity.
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Post by lilyopath on Oct 28, 2010 9:41:58 GMT -5
Moboston, I'd like to hear from you. Do you have hummers now?
I've been watching hummers this morning. I have two males for sure. I've never seen so many males. Wonder what's up with the large number of males.
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Post by lilyopath on Nov 18, 2010 9:31:41 GMT -5
Today is November l8, and I still have at least two male hummers.
I put out a third feeder this week and this morning I've seen hummers in two of the three feeders and in a red salvia (that looks just like a black and blue salvia except for the color). The hummers really like that red salvia.
Yesterday a hummer spent all afternoon trying to chase other birds out of the oak tree in my backyard. That was quite a chore because there were lots of birds, including a yellow throated warbler, in the yard late yesterday. One bird was chased by the hummer all the way across the backyard.
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 4, 2010 10:02:03 GMT -5
It's Dec. 2 and there are at least two RT hummers in my backyard this morning. They are fussing over the oak tree and going to the feeders. The feeders have sugar water...one cup sugar to four cups water brought to a boil and cooled.
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Post by mboston on Dec 5, 2010 9:35:22 GMT -5
Presently, I have one adult male that feeds several times a day. I thought I had two that would over winter here, they stayed nearly the whole month of Nov but left last week, then this one showed up on Tues.
Shirley, I live in South Lakeland as well. There are at least 3 others of us who watch for hummers all the time.
What happened to your injured bird?
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 5, 2010 13:18:51 GMT -5
I think the injured bird died after trying unsuccessfully to feed for several days. Anyway I've not seen her again.
I saw a mature male RT hummer in the window feeder this morning. I've also seen two pileated woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, a downy woodpecker, titmice, a phoebe, a gnat catcher and the usual (cardinals, female blackbirds, bluejays.)
I watch for hummers all the time, and I look for hummingbird and butterfly attractive plants. I am so glad to have found others who share my interest.
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 5, 2010 13:21:12 GMT -5
Mboston, keep your feeders up. Last winter I had way more hummers than I ever had in the summer!
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 10, 2010 10:05:27 GMT -5
It is December 10 and the hummers are still here. Also, I've spotted several goldfinches in the last few days.
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Post by hummingbird231 on Dec 15, 2010 8:12:58 GMT -5
I live in North Lakeland, saw a Ruby throat this morning on my feeder about 7:30. Just sat there for a long time, must have been really hungry.
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 16, 2010 18:40:45 GMT -5
I have four feeders out now and had lots of hummer activity in the backyard all day today. I saw three hummers, at once, in and around the oak tree, so I think I'm already attracting more hummers with the feeders as a result of the cold weather. I also saw the hummers in the few flowers I have left after the hard freeze. I saw them constantly chasing one another as they attempted to guard feeders. Exciting!!
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 19, 2010 22:49:00 GMT -5
Sunday, Dec. 19, was a cold rainy day in south Lakeland. I had one adult male RTH and two females. They each picked a different feeder, perched nearby the chosen feeder and visited to feed numerous times. (I have four feeders.) There was no aggression. This is unlike their behavior in the past few days. I think they were cold.
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Post by Gardendipity on Dec 19, 2010 23:08:32 GMT -5
Lilyopath, it really is exciting that you are already attracting more hummers by hanging more feeders. Good for you! I wanted to pass along to you that I've read from Steve Backes that when you see the birds chasing each other off, you may need to hang more feeders.
We're in Riverview. We have eight feeders hanging now, and we've had between two and three hummers in the yard since the freezes. We spent some time really paying attention today for the Alafia Bird Count, and it seems to us that the male is trying to stake out the entire back yard with its 4 feeders. We think he may have chased off the females. We're hoping they will be back tomorrow.
By the way, while I haven't looked lately in the past I've found very inexpensive feeders at the dollar stores.
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Post by moboston on Dec 20, 2010 8:42:29 GMT -5
My immature male rufous is claiming the entire back yard and all 3 feeders there for himself. I was afraid of this as it happened with my adult male Ruby the last two years. Don't know what will happen if he comes back - will be interesting to see which species wins out. I have found if you can somehow seperate your feeders into zones where the view from one zone to another is somehow blocked that it will help. My side area feeders tend to have birds that primarily use them and then the ones in the back yard have their own. Now thinking with this Rufous that I need another zone - perhaps out front - problem is I can't see all at once and I already spend too much time watching the hummers! Attaching two pics of two of my birds. The first is a female Ruby who I think is here for the second year and the other is my immature male Rufous. The last is my female Rufous - I am hoping it is also a returning bird but I haven't been able to see if she has a band - mine last year was banded by Doreen. Attachments:
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Post by moboston on Dec 20, 2010 8:45:10 GMT -5
Sorry - above post would only allow one pic - its my female Rufous. Will try the other two sepertely. Here's the male Rufous. Attachments:
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Post by moboston on Dec 20, 2010 8:48:31 GMT -5
And my female Ruby. Attachments:
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Post by hummingbird231 on Dec 20, 2010 20:14:55 GMT -5
O my Gosh, they all are so beautiful. You did such a wonderful job with the pictures. I'm so impressed with how everyone can identify the hummers. I want to learn how to id them. Thanks so much, I cant tell you how excited I was to see the Rufous so up close like that. I saw hummer at my window feeder this morning, I'm guessing Ruby, but I'm not really sure.
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Post by mboston on Dec 21, 2010 14:02:37 GMT -5
Thanks! I finally got a camera that allows me to take the pictures from inside. It has taken me awhile to learn to id all the birds except the male Rubys - those are obvious but the immatures from the female adults - no way -still have trouble with them. Then of course last year having the immature female Rufous threw me for a loop!
Joe M. would be willing to help you if you could get a picture.
You have probably told me but where are you located in south Lakeland. There are three of us - Sue, Joe and myself who live with a couple miles of each other and it is possible that we share birds. Then another gal lives closer to Highland City and there is someone who lives up near the mall. Sue and I are interested in getting an informal group together to share stories, maybe visit each other's palces, and share hummer plants. With this winter, we may need to start over!
Let me know if you are interested and I can give you my phone number. Good luck with you hummies!
BTW, I sign in by moboston and mboston - forgot that I had registered.
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Post by hummingbird231 on Dec 21, 2010 14:54:59 GMT -5
Sounds great. I'm on the North side past Duff rd.
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 21, 2010 16:02:56 GMT -5
I live just west of the intersection of Lakeland Highlands and 540A.
I'm seeing lots of hummingbird activity today.
I'm watching and hoping to see a rufous or a black chinned hummer. Wow! That would be great!
I am very interested in looking for hummingbird and butterfly plants; I collect daylilies.
Lily
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Post by mboston on Dec 21, 2010 17:20:01 GMT -5
Hi Lilyopath - I think we have talked before. You are so close to my friend Sue. Maybe we all can get together after the New Year - before Fred comes to band on the 16th and 17th.
Anyone else would be welcome too. If you are interested in hearing Fred speak on hummers, its on the 16th from 6 to 8:30 at Circle Bar B. You have to preregister for seats. There is a post on it on the events thread.
Are you guys available to meet in the mornings or would it have to be in the evenings?
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 21, 2010 17:27:58 GMT -5
Morning or evening is fine, but we'd see hummers if we met in the mornings!
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Post by Joe M on Dec 22, 2010 11:18:45 GMT -5
My yard now has at least 6, probably as many as 8 Ruby-throated. More than normal at this time but I suspect the cooler weather up north has pushed a more hummers south, in our direction. No rarities observed, but does not mean they are not around, as others are observing them.
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Post by moboston on Dec 23, 2010 12:22:02 GMT -5
Okay, I know this is short notice but how would everyone feel about meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 28th to share hummer info, stories, and perhaps even see a couple? The weather should be cold so humms should be visiting our feeders routinely. I would be willing to have all come to my house, perhaps everyone can bring a dish and we could have brunch - say about 9ish. Perhaps afterwards, we can travel to Sue's house, who lives close by me.
I know we will all be dealing with post Christmas house turmoil and a porch full of plants but should be fun to get to know each other and share our love of these little beauties.
You can call me at 644-8657 or email me at mmboston@hotmail.com for directions. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Mary
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Post by lilyopath on Dec 25, 2010 18:44:42 GMT -5
I saw two males and a female today. All were RTHs. One male was very unusual...very dark coloring and no white spot behind his eyes.
And, Gardendipidy, I finally got around to hanging out another feeder. That makes five feeders in all.
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Post by moboston on Dec 26, 2010 20:42:30 GMT -5
Just a remeinder if you would like to meet on Tuesday at 9 at my house for brunch and hummer watching - all are welcome, just let me know so I can plan numbers. 644-8657
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