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Topic: Hummingbird Wars (Read 194 times) |
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George_J
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Hummingbird Wars
« on: Aug 11th, 2006, 2:26pm » |
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Hi all,
I'm in my backyard right now, watching the late-summer hummingbird wars that are in full swing.
Sorry I don't have a picture. They're too fast for me.
There's a Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) here now, claiming temporary ownership of the feeder--he waits for any of the unfortunate Black-Chinned hummingbirds to show, so he can chase them off. There's lots of electrical screaming, and much drama. Sooner or later, he'll move along. Rufous hummingbirds are great nomads--indeed, they can't be kept in captivity. They die if they are confined.
The Blackchins are swooping around in their frantic mating/aggression dances, dive-bombing in long swoops, creating a low, sad, descending note with their wings at the bottom of each swoop. One just hovered within a couple of feet of my face, looking me over.
The greatest warriors we have are the little Calliope Hummingbirds that you usually see at higher elevations. Life is a constant battle if you're a Calliope Hummingbird--from morning to night, you hear their shrill war cries--"bzeeeeeeeee". It's a war of all against all.
Fascinating to think that these little creatures can live to be twenty. How do they withstand the wear and tear?
I wish my European and Antipodean friends could see this--it's part of our summer. I can't imagine summer without them.
Best,
George
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| « Last Edit: Aug 11th, 2006, 2:29pm by George_J » |
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Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
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vig
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CHit Happens
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Re: Hummingbird Wars
« Reply #1 on: Aug 11th, 2006, 2:47pm » |
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sorry, they're too fast for me too!
soooooooo muCH easier when they're NOT flying!
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never, Never, NEVER quit. -Winston Churchill
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George_J
CH.com Alumnus
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White-Breasted Nuthatch
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Re: Hummingbird Wars
« Reply #2 on: Aug 11th, 2006, 2:54pm » |
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Thanks, Vig. Glad somebody's quick enough. By the time I get done fumbling around with the digital camera, they're gone. 
Regards,
George
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IP Logged |
Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
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HappyElaine
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Veteran
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 200
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Re: Hummingbird Wars
« Reply #3 on: Aug 11th, 2006, 5:40pm » |
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I love my Hummingbirds. I have a feeder hanging on my bay window so we can watch them. They do fight, but boy can they drink that juice. I think I fill my feeder ever two days. I have three of them.
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Fear less, hope more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things are yours.
Member of ch.com and OUCH since 1999
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pattik
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Re: Hummingbird Wars
« Reply #4 on: Aug 11th, 2006, 6:18pm » |
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Hummingbirds are a hoot! We only have the ruby-throated variety around here, but they are the most pugnacious little things I've ever seen. 
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The voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes, it's about having new eyes--Marcel Proust
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Fredmyyster
New Board Old Timer
SK8 2 Live !
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Re: Hummingbird Wars
« Reply #5 on: Aug 11th, 2006, 6:26pm » |
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We seem to get them in the spring and fall, one stragled through here last week for a couple of days but he or she wouldnt eat at all. When they are here we sit on the front porch and watch them buzz around and yes, they go through the sweet stuff in a hurry. Cant hardly keep um filled. Most we have ever had at 1 time was bout 6 and it was nice to watch.... Gentle nature.
We are just out of Corpus Christi Texas in a town called Gregory. We love most all animals, cept Scorpians.... EeeWWWW!!!!
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Have pump will travel...
Will work for Pools.
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