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Hummingbird Garden

Anyone in Texas with hummers still around?

17 years ago

I am still seeing one lone hummingbird that hasn't left yet. Poor thing was perched on the feeder, feathers all puffed out, this a.m. at daybreak. The temp was 49F. It's finally left the feeder now that the sun is out. It has no red under the throat, so I was thinking it's a juvenile.

I guess there's nothing to do but keep the feeder fresh? I still have flowers that it nectars from also.

I'm just a little concerned. :(

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Comments (6)

ltcollins1949
17 years ago
I still had hummers yesterday, but I haven't seen any yet today. I think that the cold front pushed most of them through.

I'll keep a couple of feeders up at least through the end of November in case any stragglers come through. And all of my hummer plants are still blooming so unless we get really cold, they should keep blooming.

You might have had a female since they don't have the red gorget. I've had an incredible number of hummers this year, with lots of them being immature male RT. Their gorgets were just barely there.

I sure miss the little birds.
grandmapoo
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi and thanks. I saw my little hummer on the feeder again Sunday. It doesn't nectar right. That's why I thought it was probably a juvenile left behind. It hangs upside down from the perch and laps at the sugar that seeps from the seal on the bottom. I need to change the sugar water since it's been about a week now, but I don't want to cause it not to have the sugar at the seal. It should still be ok, since it's been cool. I put up another feeder which has the bee guards and seems like it resembles a flower more. I'm hoping it will see how to nectar properly from it, but I haven't seen it since.

I miss them too, but I really hope it left since it's going to get colder toward the end of the week. I'm worrying more over it now that enjoying it. At least I know that if it passes your place, there will be fresh nectar waiting. Thanks. :)
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penny1947
17 years ago
Grandma poo,
I had a juvenile 2 yrs. ago that was trying to feed upside down until 'mom' showed him what to do. He caught on right away.

Hey lt,
My little girl is still here in NY. I wish a strong breeze would push her down south. I am really worried about her now and her chances of survival.

Penny
ltcollins1949
17 years ago
Grandmapoo

Wow! I haven't seen any since last Saturday when that cold front pushed through. And we are supposed to have another cold front come through tonight. I cleaned and put up all of my feeders because, I still have lots and lots of hummer plants blooming, so they can feed as long as they want. Where are you in Texas?

Penny

Is your little girl still there? I know that you worry about them when they are reluctant to leave. Remember Christmas 2004 when here in south Texas we had 6" of snow? WOW! That's the year that I kept feeders up all winter because I had two buff-bellies, one male Rufous and one female RT.
jenme
17 years ago
Just found this site, so many topics to boggle my mind!
Anyway, I live Tucson Az and was wondering why my few haven't moved on. I only started feeding last year so forgive my ignorance! I am learning a lot from all of you. Our temps are down to 45 at night and I have a couple juveniles hanging around. I think they are from the nest we had and didn't get the message to fly to a warmer area. It's still in the 80's during the days though so I guess if they keep surviving the night they'll be okay for now till we get a freeze. Hate to see them die after we nursed them along, the mother made a lousy nest and I couldn't let nature take it's course, so I kept putting them back in and even ended up duct taping the nest together!
penny1947
17 years ago
Not all hummers will head south of the border. There are some that will stay in your area year round. I have sent you an email.

Penny

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