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

[QRTRHRS]

As darkness sets in, my numbers drop off even with the dusk/dawn light on a power pole about fifty feet from the feeders.

Cardinals are one of the earliest and latest feeders.

 

[Duds13]

Do HB's feed after dark and before dawn? I have seen birds at the window feeder before dawn and after dark so now wonder if that's a common thing. Anyone know?

Mine feed all day, but the recent crazy activity has been happening early morning and evening.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Mine feed all day, but the recent crazy activity has been happening early morning and evening.

Same here, i.e. flocks throughout the day but seemingly none during the night. I don't know, but I do believe, they must lower thier metabolism during the dark hours. So, in summary, I suspect they don't feed at night unless they have a real hunger problem.
Hopefully we'll see a HB expert on here to clarify that unknown question.

 

[kenmbz]

Same here, i.e. flocks throughout the day but seemingly none during the night. I don't know, but I do believe, they must lower thier metabolism during the dark hours. So, in summary, I suspect they don't feed at night unless they have a real hunger problem.
Hopefully we'll see a HB expert on here to clarify that unknown question.

Most birds don't fly at night unless in danger.

 

[ponytug]

Same here, i.e. flocks throughout the day but seemingly none during the night. I don't know, but I do believe, they must lower thier metabolism during the dark hours. So, in summary, I suspect they don't feed at night unless they have a real hunger problem.
Hopefully we'll see a HB expert on here to clarify that unknown question.

Yes, hummingbirds go into a mild form of hibernation overnight called torpor, with greatly reduced metabolism. So, no, they aren't flying when it is dark outside, though twilight is a great time for them to feed upon bugs, which contain protein and fats, needed by the hummingbirds.

All the best, Peter

 

[Larry Caldwell]

We see this behavior all the time. Hummingbirds are quite territorial.

It depends on the species. Rufous roosters are fighters, Annas are more peaceful.

 

[John0829]

Here the females are as much a fighter as the males are, in fact many of them tend to instigate more than the males. It is fun to watch though.

 

[Sigarms]

Just came back from our 2 week vacation out west, and we've never seen as many hummingbirds this year as we have this week.

This morning outside on the phone, counted 12 around the feeder. That's around what we would see on a normal summer last year, but before we left this month, generally if we saw 1 or 2 we'd be lucky.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have had a bunch this week.

 

[ArlyA]

For ruby's, the females stay away from feeders while nesting so who you are seeing at the feeders are males. Once the brood is up and old enough, they hens will show them feeders, but the males are the 1st to head south and they might be gone by that time. None feed at night.