ray
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by ray on Jul 28, 2013 15:44:49 GMT -5
I live east of Fort Walton Beach, near Niceville, and we had a hummingbird visit our regular feeders two days ago. The bird was a bit large for a hummingbird, but over the course of about two minutes, it visited four times, so I got somewhat of a good view of it. The bird was dark bodied, somewhat blue, but I don't have any idea what species it belongs to. It was the first one we've seen this year.
So, I got a hummingbird feeder yesterday morning and it went out to the yard yesterday afternoon.
So, as I'm typing this on my back patio, where I can watch all of our feeders, we get another visit from a hummingbird, although this one is smaller and has a white/light abdomen. It did not approach the hummingbird feeder, but hovered near the regular feeders only a few seconds before flying off.
Which leads to a question, should I separate my regular bird feeders from my hummingbird feeders? If so, by how much?
Ray
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Jul 28, 2013 16:45:51 GMT -5
Ray, About 10' should do. Depends on how much activity your seed feeders get. I have a heavily used hummingbird feeder about 6' from a seed feeder without a problem. However these feeders have been in the same location for 20 yrs. Too much activity would probably discourage a hummer but not all of them. Joe M. Sturbridge, Ma
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Jul 28, 2013 16:50:17 GMT -5
Ray, Forgot to mention that the first bird was most probably not a hummer but the second sounds more likely to be a hummer. A hummer would be unlikely to visit a seed feeder unless it felt like harassing a passerine or two. Joe M.
|
|
ray
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by ray on Jul 30, 2013 23:02:46 GMT -5
Both my wife and I saw it and were sure that it was a hummingbird. She has much more experience in birding than I do, and says she is confident it was one. It hovered and flew backwards while we watched it near (5-10 feet) the regular feeders. I so wish that I'd had my camera ready to go at the time.
If not a hummingbird, what do you think it might have been? I actually witnessed a Ruby Throated Hummingbird approach the regular feeders, which caused me to move the new hummingbird feeder closer. After moving it, we've seen hummingbirds feeding at their feeder several times. They also are visiting many of the red azaleas which are blooming again.
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Jul 31, 2013 11:40:15 GMT -5
Ray, Niceville has been the location of several Buff-bellied Hummingbirds that have been returning for many years, in the winter. Reports of them breeding have also been reported. A bird of this size would certainly get your attention and its possible you have one in the area. Throat is green but depending on the light may look bluish. Buff-bellied are believed to be taking up residence along the gulf coast from TX to FL as they lose habitat in Mexico, Hope that's what you have, try to get some better looks and possibly a photo. Joe M.
|
|
ray
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by ray on Aug 11, 2013 10:12:56 GMT -5
Thank you, Joe. I've placed my camera to photograph visit's to the feeder, but so many other commitments and rainy weather are keeping me from this. Even so, we've not seen the same bird again; our most common, almost exclusive, visitors are female Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.
|
|
ray
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by ray on Sept 2, 2013 19:21:54 GMT -5
Out on the back porch for dinner, we lounged and watched birds for about 30 minutes afterwards.
The feeder had quite a bit of activity, although no more than one bird at a time. If a second bird approaches the feeder with one already there, it starts a chase. Several of the hummers will feed at the feeder and then fly to a perch in a tree while another feeds at the feeder.
Anyway, I believe we had a visit from two Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds today, unless the Ruby Throated Hummingbird flies around with its tail spread out. Another specie I believe we had in attendance was the Rufous Hummingbird, along with at least one male Ruby Throated Hummingbird and several females that I can do nothing more than guess as Ruby Throated Hummingbirds.
I was quite entertained by the activity.
And we also had a Bald Eagle visit the neighborhood, yesterday. Just fantastic.
Ray
|
|
|
Post by Deb on Sept 21, 2013 11:40:55 GMT -5
I live east of Fort Walton Beach, near Niceville, and we had a hummingbird visit our regular feeders two days ago. The bird was a bit large for a hummingbird, but over the course of about two minutes, it visited four times, so I got somewhat of a good view of it. The bird was dark bodied, somewhat blue, but I don't have any idea what species it belongs to. It was the first one we've seen this year. So, I got a hummingbird feeder yesterday morning and it went out to the yard yesterday afternoon. So, as I'm typing this on my back patio, where I can watch all of our feeders, we get another visit from a hummingbird, although this one is smaller and has a white/light abdomen. It did not approach the hummingbird feeder, but hovered near the regular feeders only a few seconds before flying off. Which leads to a question, should I separate my regular bird feeders from my hummingbird feeders? If so, by how much? Ray
|
|
|
Post by Gino on Dec 27, 2015 16:52:07 GMT -5
what type of flowers attract humming birds
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Dec 30, 2015 16:32:24 GMT -5
Gino, Any flower that produces nectar, pure and sinple! Honeysuckle, salvia varieties, fire spike, fire bush, porterweed, shrimp plant varieties, justica varieties and the list goes on!
Any internet search for "hummingbird plants" will produce a decent selection but many plants that do well in the west or north of FL may not do well here in FL.
Choose Hummingbird plants that grow well in Fl, while avoiding some plants that hummers love but are known to be "invasive" in our climate such as "trumpet vine" also known as "trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)! I made the mistake of starting a cutting of "campsis radicans" about 25 yrs. ago and have been fighting it for the last 10 years. All nectar loving birds love it (including Orioles) but it will devour your yard and landscape and become a major pest plant.
Some nectar producing plants have high concentrations of sucrose others considerably less, the ones I mentioned have high concentrations and grow pretty well throught FL.
|
|
|
Post by Maggie on Jun 23, 2016 6:58:07 GMT -5
Need contact and directions for Hummingbird tour from Defuniak Springs Fl
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Jun 23, 2016 9:31:19 GMT -5
Maggie, Not aware of any Hummingbird Tours in FL. You might try contacting a local Audubon chapter in the area. Choctawhatchee Audubon would be the closest.
|
|