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

[ponytug]

Do hummers go dormant in very hot weather? We had 5 days above 100, with a high of 107. The feeders were untouched, until the temp dropped back into the 90s, then they drained two feeders in one day. Has anybody else seen this?

Great question!

Apparently, they both modify their behavior to stay out of the sun, their flight methods, to alter how they cool themselves, and undergo something like cold temperature torpor, called estivation, to avoid heat.

Estivation or Aestivation - Definition and Examples

Learn about estivation in biology. Get the definition and examples. Compare estivation to hibernation and brumation.

sciencenotes.org

And this paper is an interesting deep dive into thermal loads, body temperatures, and heat flows in hummingbirds for the really curious;

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.171056

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[kenmbz]

Here we see less of them on hot days, but see them a lot at feeders late afternoon.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Do hummers go dormant in very hot weather? We had 5 days above 100, with a high of 107. The feeders were untouched, until the temp dropped back into the 90s, then they drained two feeders in one day. Has anybody else seen this?

Absolutely - same here. Normally they need to feed about every 15 minutes. But when temps get over 100, I'm assuming they do well to slow their heartbeat down to conserve energy, same as when asleep.
We were seeing 1 - 3 at a time last week. Temps went close to 100* during that time. It cooled of to a little under 90* this week and we're back up to 20 - 30, or norm. (Just before migration time we'll see 50 -60.)

 

[goeduck]

I assume they need to burn less energy when it is warm, they wouldn't need to burn energy for body heat. Our temps were only in the mid 90s but they were still feeding. Less it seems.

 

[ponytug]

I assume they need to burn less energy when it is warm, they wouldn't need to burn energy for body heat. Our temps were only in the mid 90s but they were still feeding. Less it seems.

High temperatures can and does shut down flying due to overheating muscles.

All the best,

Peter

 

[oosik]

My little two cup feeder hangs under the eves. Out of the sun - except in the late afternoon. The hummers do avoid the feeder in the hottest part of the day. I think I must have ten or twelve this year. I'm refilling the feeder three time a day.

 

[goeduck]

My little two cup feeder hangs under the eves. Out of the sun - except in the late afternoon. The hummers do avoid the feeder in the hottest part of the day. I think I must have ten or twelve this year. I'm refilling the feeder three time a day.

Yay! 10 or 12 is an uptick, correct?

 

[sixdogs]

We noticed a decline in birds over the summer but as I mentioned earlier, have seen them going into and out of the spruce trees we have. Looking at a feeder by the window, it hit me.

We had let out bushes and plants around the house and feeders get too tall and bushy and I have read that birds like to feed out in the open, presumably where risk I lower, and might be avoiding our feeders around taller bushes and plants.

Sure enough. We cut back the bushes and plants, moved some taller things in pots and more birds immediately started showing up again. A lot more birds. Still down over the last couple years but way more than over the summer. It's getting back to normal. FYI.

 

[Duds13]

My hummers have been nuts the last two nights! We've had some serious downpours in the late afternoon so I don't know if that riles them up or not but there is constant divebombing on the feeders and chasing one another. Fun to watch!

 

[oosik]

Yay! 10 or 12 is an uptick, correct?

Yes - I think my normal is six or eight. And they are certainly more aggressive this year. More time spent dipping/diving and flashing.

 

[ponytug]

I got flashed by a rufous the other day coming out of the shop. It was fun to see, and he took his time checking me out. Normally, we only see the rufous here on their migrations north/south for a day or two. I've never seen one here midsummer before.

Our resident Anna's frequent our flowers and water bath, but if I turn up with a new red object, they tend to appear instantly to check me and it out.

All the best,

Peter

 

[sixdogs]

I got flashed by a rufous the other day coming out of the shop. It was fun to see, and he took his time checking me out. Normally, we only see the rufous here on their migrations north/south for a day or two. I've never seen one here midsummer before.

Our resident Anna's frequent our flowers and water bath, but if I turn up with a new red object, they tend to appear instantly to check me and it out.

All the best,

Peter

I'm still wearing my red Grasshopper Mower hat and still getting buzzed by the locals. Coming around the garage, I had a hummingbird again zoom by and scare the cr@p out of me before buzzing away. It may not be this close but seems as though they stop a foot away from hitting me. They sure like red.

Oh, the wife saw them on red geranium flowers the other day and said she never saw that before. The birds this year are the most energetic and vibrant I can recall. Maybe new and different variety of birds?

 

[Gem99ultra]

We're up to around 50 now, an increase of 49 over 2 months ago.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Successful nesting.

 

[oosik]

In the last 3 to 4 days there has been a dramatic decrease in use of the feeder. I think the young have fledged and everybody is moving on.

Either that or now they are drinking lake water and eating more bugs.

 

[kenmbz]

We have the opposite, when I was away the feeder ran dry, the HBs were flying back and forth by my sliding doors over and over again until I filled it.
Now they are happy, think there are about 4, so maybe one is a baby, will have to watch.

 

[deserteagle71]

Mine have gone nuts around here. I have two feeders set up and they are busy all day long. Using about a quart of nectar a day now.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We're filling 6-1 qt feeders every day now for about 50 humming birds. I'm guessing the heat is prompting more food runs for them.

 

[ArlyA]

In the case of rubies, the males are the first to head south, which is about now. The females will hangaround a bit longer but they are the next to head south. The new brood or young, stick around quit a bit longer. May be to add weight before the leave.

 

[ponytug]

In the case of rubies, the males are the first to head south, which is about now. The females will hangaround a bit longer but they are the next to head south. The new brood or young, stick around quit a bit longer. May be to add weight before the leave.

Yup, it is to add weight, and it always amazes me that something so small can go so far. I guess mentally I mistakenly keep thinking that flying takes a lot more energy in total than it actually does. It boggles my mind that they routinely cross the Gulf of Mexico (500 miles).

Hummingbirds Plus - Your Guide to Hummingbirds and Birds

Discover the fascinating world of hummingbirds and birds with expert insights, stunning photography, and comprehensive guides.

www.hummingbirdsplus.org

All the best,

Peter