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

[jyoutz]

https://www.thespruce.com/what-do-hummingbirds-eat-386568

​

Hummingbird Diet​

In addition to nectar, hummingbirds eat a variety of other items to get adequate nutrition.

Insects​

Small insects, larvae, insect eggs, and spiders are critical food sources for hummingbirds. Insects provide the fat, protein, and salts the birds cannot derive from nectar, and these are crucial nutritional components, especially for rapidly growing hatchlings.


Hummingbirds may hunt insects in several ways, including gleaning or picking them from bark, flowers, or leaves; hawking them in midair; or plucking them from spider webs or sticky sap.


To get the required amount of protein for a healthy diet, an adult hummingbird must eat several dozen insects each day. They will eat many more, however, if they need to regurgitate this nutritious food to hungry hatchlings, or if they are in the midst of a long migration.

Sap​

When nectar is scarce, hummingbirds will sip tree sap from wells drilled by woodpeckers. While the tree sap is not as sweet as floral nectar, it still provides an adequate source of sucrose for a hummingbird’s energy needs. Sap that has dripped down and hardened on the tree trunk cannot be drunk, but the birds may pick insects from the sticky residue.

Pollen​

Hummingbirds do not directly consume pollen, but a great deal of pollen can be stuck to their tongues and bills when they sip nectar from flowers. Some of that pollen is ingested, and it can be a minor source of protein even though it wasn't directly eaten. However, less than 10 percent of the ingested pollen is actually digested. This shows that, while viable, this is not a common food source for hummingbirds.

Ashes and Sand​

Some hummingbirds have been observed eating ashes and sand in small quantities. These foods can be a good source of vital minerals and salts, but not much is needed to fulfill a hummingbird’s dietary needs.


It is also possible that the birds were picking insects from the material, rather than actually eating the ashes or sand. More close observation and study are needed to determine how critical this food source may be for hummingbirds.

Fruit​

Certain ripe or juicy fruits may attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds have been known to discreetly sip the juices from berries, apples, pears, and oranges if they are peeled, cut open, or if the flesh is otherwise exposed.

Thanks for this information. I’ve always been told that their diet was nectar and fruit. Their small bills don’t appear like they are insectivores. But apparently that is part of their diet.

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks for this information. I’ve always been told that their diet was nectar and fruit. Their small bills don’t appear like they are insectivores. But apparently that is part of their diet.

We never thought about it much until one year we noticed fewer bugs bothering some plant leaves and fewer small flying swarmy things. We weren't 't sure but came to believe the HB's and tree swallows were likely eating them. Win-win for both of us.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

https://www.thespruce.com/what-do-hummingbirds-eat-386568

​

Hummingbird Diet​

In addition to nectar, hummingbirds eat a variety of other items to get adequate nutrition.

Insects​

Small insects, larvae, insect eggs, and spiders are critical food sources for hummingbirds. Insects provide the fat, protein, and salts the birds cannot derive from nectar, and these are crucial nutritional components, especially for rapidly growing hatchlings.


Hummingbirds may hunt insects in several ways, including gleaning or picking them from bark, flowers, or leaves; hawking them in midair; or plucking them from spider webs or sticky sap.


To get the required amount of protein for a healthy diet, an adult hummingbird must eat several dozen insects each day. They will eat many more, however, if they need to regurgitate this nutritious food to hungry hatchlings, or if they are in the midst of a long migration.

Sap​

When nectar is scarce, hummingbirds will sip tree sap from wells drilled by woodpeckers. While the tree sap is not as sweet as floral nectar, it still provides an adequate source of sucrose for a hummingbird’s energy needs. Sap that has dripped down and hardened on the tree trunk cannot be drunk, but the birds may pick insects from the sticky residue.

Pollen​

Hummingbirds do not directly consume pollen, but a great deal of pollen can be stuck to their tongues and bills when they sip nectar from flowers. Some of that pollen is ingested, and it can be a minor source of protein even though it wasn't directly eaten. However, less than 10 percent of the ingested pollen is actually digested. This shows that, while viable, this is not a common food source for hummingbirds.

Ashes and Sand​

Some hummingbirds have been observed eating ashes and sand in small quantities. These foods can be a good source of vital minerals and salts, but not much is needed to fulfill a hummingbird’s dietary needs.


It is also possible that the birds were picking insects from the material, rather than actually eating the ashes or sand. More close observation and study are needed to determine how critical this food source may be for hummingbirds.

Fruit​

Certain ripe or juicy fruits may attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds have been known to discreetly sip the juices from berries, apples, pears, and oranges if they are peeled, cut open, or if the flesh is otherwise exposed.

Do hummers have gizzards? Ashes and sand might be needed to grind up the bug parts. I feed pigeon grit at my large bird feeder, and the birds seem to devour it with relish.

 

[Gem99ultra]

No - not yet. It's still way too early for the "little fellows" here. However - this is the FIRST year where so many Red Winged Black birds have remained over the winter. There are many pairs down in the cattails. They must be finding something to eat. I know they don't eat snow.

I feel for them - it was +8F with 15mph winds this morning. Brownie made his trip outside very short this morning. Back inside - up on the davenport - his favorite little quilt- tucked closely around him.

No hummer's here in mid-Georgia yet. Feeders just went up, so we're hoping to see them in the next couple of weeks.

 

[sixdogs]

Here's a 2022 hummingbird migration map. It's constantly updated and shows birds now on the northern edge of Tennessee and into Virginia.

2022 Hummingbird Migration Map

www.hummingbirdcentral.com

 

[goeduck]

My hummers are currently chugging a quart every other day. The migratory Rufous have been bellying up to the feeders for a week or so to be elbow to elbow with the resident Annas.

Yes, they eat bugs. Lots of bugs.

 

[psvfd]

Seen two same time, that is one more.

 

[oosik]

Not yet but I ready with a clean feeder and plenty of cane sugar.

 

[jyoutz]

Nesting song birds are here now, but no hummers yet. They are smart enough to know that cold weather isn’t over yet.

 

[sixdogs]

Seen two same time, that is one more.

I wonder how many birds there are compared with how many you see? Maybe for every one you see there are 10 more in the bushes?

 

[goeduck]

I wonder how many birds there are compared with how many you see? Maybe for every one you see there are 10 more in the bushes?

The fatfinch site lists these ratios based on how much mix you are feeding:

25 birds if you are feeding 8 ounces a day
or 50 birds for 16 ounces
or 100 birds for 32 ounces
or 200 birds for 64 ounces

1 pint = 16 ounces
1 quart = 32 ounces

So based on this I figure I am feeding between 50 and 100 birds right now.

 

[sixdogs]

The fatfinch site lists these ratios based on how much mix you are feeding:

25 birds if you are feeding 8 ounces a day
or 50 birds for 16 ounces
or 100 birds for 32 ounces
or 200 birds for 64 ounces

1 pint = 16 ounces
1 quart = 32 ounces

So based on this I figure I am feeding between 50 and 100 birds right now.

That is great info. We feed about 50 birds during a typical summer day. More when it's busy; less when other food more abundant.

 

[sixdogs]

We had our first hummingbirds at the feeder today. It was one of the bigger birds we've ever seen and ate like a horse. Maybe just full of eggs?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

My hummers are already going through a quart a day. There's no reported bird flu in my state yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Wakey]

An hour East of Atl and I saw 2 at once, just a single time. I took down the feeders, cleaned them real well and made a new batch of nectar and I haven't seen any for 2 days.

On the upside we have 12 or more Goldfinch which is more than normal.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

The fatfinch site lists these ratios based on how much mix you are feeding:

25 birds if you are feeding 8 ounces a day
or 50 birds for 16 ounces
or 100 birds for 32 ounces
or 200 birds for 64 ounces

1 pint = 16 ounces
1 quart = 32 ounces

So based on this I figure I am feeding between 50 and 100 birds right now.

When they’re all here we’ll be putting out at least 64 ounces per day.

 

[sixdogs]

My hummers are already going through a quart a day. There's no reported bird flu in my state yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Uh-oh. They can catch bird flu?

 

[ponytug]

Unfortunately, yes, they can catch avian influenza.

All the best,

Peter

 

[goeduck]

My birds are keeping me busy. 1-1/2 quarts a day. Very cool spring here and I think that has something to do with the consumption rate.

Either that or dragoneggs has not been filling his feeders and his birds are over here.

 

[dragoneggs]

My birds are keeping me busy. 1-1/2 quarts a day. Very cool spring here and I think that has something to do with the consumption rate.

Either that or dragoneggs has not been filling his feeders and his birds are over here.

Actually somewhat true. I replaced my broken feeder with a cheapo feeder and and expensive Walmart solar lighted feeder and both have been a failure.

Went back to a traditional feeder and they are slowly coming back. But I obviously pissed them off this winter/spring.

Maybe Goey will see a dent in consumption in the near future!