Saturday, April 20, 2013

Swarming Hummingbirds Find a Special Perch

A cold front moved through Tennessee yesterday resulting in frost warnings in the east after having temps in the 80's just a day before.  At the same time, we have been enjoying the arrival of Ruby-throated hummingbirds that are either migrating through or here to settle into their breeding territories.  One of my male feeder visitors was already busy chasing away new arrivals this morning in the brisk 38 F degree air.
On our bird alert network, TNBird, I read a fun account of hummingbirds swarming to feeders in west Tennessee, April 19th.  Shawna Ellis returned to her home in Paris, TN, in the early evening, around 5:15 p.m,. to find her six nectar feeders swarming with hummingbirds and several of them empty.  She quickly filled the feeders and added two more.
Photo published with permission.  Photo by Shawna Ellis

Recalling her close encounters with hummers as a child, Shawna encouraged her seven year old daughter, Gail, to stand near the feeders.  Shawna describes Gail as "delighted in the exciting sensation of all the birds buzzing so near.  Tentatively she held out a finger and then she thrilled as a few different birds landed on it."    Gail is pictured above and below.
Photo published with permission.  Photo by Shawna Ellis.

There were six filled, larger feeders available near by when these photos were taken. Do you think it was the red coat that attracted the hummers to Gail and the small feeder next to her?

Many hours of observation lead me to believe that birds readily discern safety from danger and are far more observant than we sometimes give them credit. I like to think the hummers were attracted to Gail's innocent wonder and the special perch she was offering!

To see a video of Gail's experience visit Hummingbird Experience Inspires Art
Visit this link to see hummingbirds swarming to my feeders ahead of a front in September 2011.  To see more blog posts on hummingbirds visit this link.
Click this link to Bird and Blooms to see hummingbirds swarming to nectar feeders in Virginia after hurricane Irene moved through.

2 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Vickie :) I would love to have one land on my finger. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indeed, this is an enchanting experience that will stay with anyone for life, especially a child. For those interested, a delightful, Audubon endorsed book is available (online only), which has a chapter on how you can train hummers to land on your finger. Dr. Jay Whelan, developer of Dr.JB's Hummingbird Feeder, has stated frequently that this is one of his favorite and most informative books
    about hummingbirds. Website: www.hummingbirdsandflowers.net. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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