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

[goeduck]

I clustered my feeders together a few years back (5 feet apart) near the kitchen windows and the consumption kept increasing. Easier for me to keep an eye on the feeders this way. I figure the bully birds can not sit there all day and at some point have to leave the feeders. Works for me, works for them.

 

[Wakey]

I finally have a few, it can't be more than four. They are terribly shy, only feeding one at a time. But I can hear them chirping.

 

[oosik]

I think I have my full compliment of hummers now. Five pair. They must have taken lessons from Tom Cruise/Top Gun. They play "fighter pilot" for a while and then calm down and take a few sips.

The males are quite skittish - females very trusting.

 

[Wakey]

My crew has arrived with no mention of the delay. Let the jousting begin!

 

[Oaktree]

I see pics of many hummers at the same feeder. My hummers are very territorial, and will chase all other hummers away from the feeder they have claimed. How is it some feed together in peace, but mine won't?

I dunno, I've never seen hummingbirds share a feeder. This year they seem a bit more aggressive at "guarding" a feeder, or maybe we just have more than usual and they don't take kindly to the strangers.
May vary by species...all we have is ruby throated here.

 

[goeduck]

Things have warmed up here and I am down from 1-1/2 to 1 quart a day. Buggers were drinking me out of house and home.

 

[sixdogs]

Things have warmed up here and I am down from 1-1/2 to 1 quart a day. Buggers were drinking me out of house and home.

That is incredible. Is must be neat watching them.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I've got 8 sixteen ounce feeders, and am refilling them every 3-4 days. Any more than that would be work!

 

[ArlyA]

Ruby throated hummers do not live, nest or travel in pairs. The only time you see them together is when the females are with their young and I don't believe that lasts very long. I can't comment on other species. I read that the females stay away from feeders while they are nesting since the males are there and fighting for that food, isn't worth it.

 

[lman]

Ruby throated hummers do not live, nest or travel in pairs. The only time you see them together is when the females are with their young and I don't believe that lasts very long. I can't comment on other species. I read that the females stay away from feeders while they are nesting since the males are there and fighting for that food, isn't worth it.

We have males and females at our feeders at the same time. The males fight with each other. We still don't have as many as we had last year. Haven't seen many barn swallows yet either.