Hummingbird Seasonal Feeding Patterns-where
did the Hummers go?
By Michael Baughman
This is the way it usually happens:
- you may see lots of Hummingbirds at your feeder as
the migration starts
- you will continue to see activity at your feeder as
the Hummingbirds that decide to stay in your area continue to use your feeder
- feeder activity drops way off
- feeder activity picks up and you see more
Hummingbirds than ever
You may see lots of Hummingbirds at your feeder as
migrating birds on their way north stop over to use your feeder. Then as the
migration ends you might see decreased feeder activity as the migrating
Hummingbirds are gone and only the Hummingbirds that have decided to stay
in your area are left to use your feeder.
Then sometime around the middle of May, depending on
your location, the nesting season will begin. Now the female Humming birds will
start nesting and may disappear from your feeder. The spot they choose to nest
may not be close to your feeder. They will spend most of their time catching
insects and spiders to feed their young and won't be straying far from their
nesting territory.
The male birds that are still using your feeder may
even be seen less frequently as more and more plants start to bloom for them to
feed on. I know that when my honeysuckle vines are blooming the Hummingbirds
don't hardly use my feeders at all.
Then when the young birds are old enough to leave the
nest, you will once again have lots of Humming birds at your feeder as the
females return with their babies.
