Anyone else have an unusually large number of hummingbirds this year?

[Larry Caldwell]

Took the dogs out for their late pee walk last night. 28 degrees and there was a moth flying. I would have said that was impossible. That little bug must have quite the metabolism.

The Annas are wintering fine here. We have several.

 

[goeduck]

This morning. I keep a couple of tomato towers up all winter, their favorite spot to guard the feeders from

 

[ArlyA]

This morning. I keep a couple of tomato towers up all winter, their favorite spot to guard the feeders from
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Is that a ruby? If I recall, they can take below freezing temps and go into a stupor (correct spelling?) while doing that.

 

[goeduck]

Is that a ruby? If I recall, they can take below freezing temps and go into a stupor (correct spelling?) while doing that.

No, it is an Annas. We do not see Ruby Hummingbirds out here.

Anna's Hummingbird Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Anna’s Hummingbirds are among the most common hummingbirds along the Pacific Coast, yet they're anything but common in appearance. With their iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throats, they are more like flying jewelry than birds. Though no larger than a ping-pong ball and no...

www.allaboutbirds.org

 

[goeduck]

Good on you... I have abandoned my feeders. You are making me feel guilty.

Okay, the cold snap is over, go ahead and call your kids back. They are eating me out of house and home . There are often 4 to 5 birds fighting over the feeders, almost like spring. Seriously, I must be the only one around that put up heated feeders.

 

[BoylermanCT]

You have heated feeders? I want to see a pic of that!

 

[zzvyb6]

Actually, No. Most of them know the words by now...

 

[Larry Caldwell]

You have heated feeders? I want to see a pic of that!

Available on Amazon.

 

[goeduck]

You have heated feeders? I want to see a pic of that!

The plastic feeders I bought use a 15 (or 7-1/2-watt) incandescent night light bulb, but I modified how my feeders attach. I have two, one US made, one China. The China one was total junk, I ended up even replacing the cord and socket. The US one was good, but it had 3 attachment "hooks" and my feeders do not have anywhere to hook onto other than the roosts which would make it hard for the birds to sit on. Plus I have 5 roosts, so it was always off center. I used the stretchy cord that came with the feeder (long rubber bands work as well), cut and tied them to the right length. I added picture frame hooks to attach the cords to. The bulb clips in and out from the bottom, so you can leave it outside when you are refilling.

 

[goeduck]

I noticed an uptick in the little guy's consumption lately from winter so I am increasing the amount I put in the feeders to compensate. Refilling every 3 days now.

An Annas male buzzed me today showing off his red throat feathers brilliantly. Travelers from down south should be around soon.