Tag Archives: hummingbird

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

When should I take down my Hummingbird feeder in North Carolina


Here’s a a photo that I took this afternoon in my backyard of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird zooming in for a quick snack.



Now that autumn as arrived, I’m often asked the question of “when should I take down my Hummingbird feeders?”
Usually this is posed out of the concern that leaving your feeder out “too long” would tempt the birds into not migrating south for the winter.

The truth is that there’s no need for worry that the birds would delay their migration and get caught by winter.
The reason why is because it’s not the lack of food that tells a hummingbird when to go south. It’s the bird’s internal biological calendar, or circannual rhythms.
In fact, most Hummingbirds species start migrating while food is still plentiful.
This strategy ensures that they will always have a good source available along every step of the way on their journey south.

So, my advice is to leave your feeders up as long as hummingbirds are visiting them. Once you’ve noticed that they are gone, leave it up an additional week, just in case a straggler comes through.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the mighty mirrorless monster of a camera, the @canonusa
#R5

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

How to tell the difference between juveniles and female Ruby throated Hummingbirds

I haven’t had much luck this year in photographing an adult male Ruby throated Hummingbird sporting those crimson namesake feathers. That being said, I’ve seen a large number juveniles this summer and have been lucky to be there in the right place and the right time to catch a few with my lens.



During the early days of autumn, with so many green and white tiny birds zipping around, it kinda looks like we’ve got a ton of female Ruby throated Hummingbirds flying around in central N.C.
Yet, if you look carefully at their face and throats, you’ll realize that although Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds look similar to their mothers, there are some details that you’ll notice which can help you tell them apart.



Juvenile males like this sharp looking bird have the same gray feathers on their cheeks that their mothers have, but the gray color is subtle and less extensive in this area. It also shows more green coloring that will gradually darken to a deeper hue as they molt out into their mature plumage.


While females have very faint gray streaks on their white throat, juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have much bolder streaks and distinct spots that will gradually show the red iridescence characteristic of their fathers.
Young males may even show a couple of red spots on the feathers near the base of their throats. As the juvenile Ruby- throats mature, those spots will eventually become a full, boldly colorful gorget worthy of their famous name 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame DSLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds gearing up for Autumn migration

Here’s a photo of one of my favorites, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. I got in a few lucky of shots of her checking out the sunflowers at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC a couple weeks ago.
These tiny birds need to eat all day long just to survive. In addition to nectar from flowers and your sugar water feeder, these birds eat small insects, beetles, ants, aphids, gnats, mosquitoes, and wasps.



With autumn migration coming soon, you might be asking “When do I need to take my feeder down?”
My recommendation is to put away your feeders about two weeks after you no longer see them visiting your yard.
This will allow them to store valuable fat resources for their long migration ahead.



By the way, did you know that Ruby throated Hummingbirds may still be found here in North Carolina into mid October?
New studies have shown that their migration patterns have shifted in recent years so that now a few of them even spend the winter along our coast!
If you live in the far eastern parts of the state, make sure that you keep your feeders filled. Once the weather gets really cold, these tiny feathered gems will definitely appreciate the ‘year round food opportunities.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds

Birdwatching News, Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

When should I take down my hummingbird feeder in N.C.

This is Frank. He’s my feeder-bully Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Frank has held the top spot in my yard in feeder dominance since early August. Don’t let his youth or handsomeness fool you. This bird is a brawler and basically owns all three of the feeders on my property, defending what’s his against all foes.
Even though it’s the second week of October he’s still here in central North Carolina, feeding and chasing away rivals at his sugar bars daily.
Going to miss him a bit when he’s gone!

Now that autumn as arrived, I’m often asked the question of “when should I take down my Hummingbird feeders?” Usually this is posed out of the concern that leaving your feeder out “too long” would tempt the birds into not migrating south for the winter.

The truth is that there’s no need for concern that the birds would delay their migration and get caught by winter.
The reason why is because it’s not the lack of food that tells a hummingbird when to go south. It’s the bird’s internal biological calendar, or circannual rhythms.
In fact, most Hummingbirds species start migrating while food is still plentiful. This strategy ensures that they will always have a good source available along every step of the way on their journey south.

So, my advice is to leave your feeders up as long as hummingbirds are visiting them. Once you’ve noticed that they are gone, leave it up an additional week, just in case a straggler comes through.

Since Frank is still hanging around here in Fuquay Varina, I’m leaving my feeders up in the near future. 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Dealing with Bully Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still out in force at the sugar feeder bar in my yard.
This young one has been at it all day chasing away others like an angry bee.
These little birds are fearless, haha!

The old way to deal with aggressive hummingbirds was to separate single feeders from each other.
The problem is that by placing individual feeders in separate areas, you may be encouraging more bullies to claim their local territories.


Today, the solution to real hummingbird harmony is to add more hummingbird feeders to your collection and place them in clusters around your property.


By creating more feeding zones made up of two or more feeders, (ideally some of which should be out of sight of the others), a single dominant hummingbird cannot defend a particular feeder.


Now all can feed without too much stress. Maybe they’ll sit still enough for a portrait more often, lol!

Photo by @sally_siko
Canon 5DS

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

No red Dye for hummingbird feeders

It’s a good idea to leave the red dye out of your Hummingbird food mixture.
Although there isn’t a consensus on whether or not the red dye is actually harmful, there is no doubt that hummingbirds digestive systems are not intended to process artificial food.
The good news is that these lovely little birds don’t mind a clear mix at all!
Just mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water until the sugar dissolves, and you’re done.
This male Ruby Throated Hummingbird has been taking sips from my feeder all morning. In fact, he was on his 6th trip in 30 minutes when I took this shot 🙂
Photo by @sally_siko

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Keep your Hummingbird feeders up and filled in September here in N.C.

A female Ruby throated Hummingbird buzzed right by my head after a thunderstorm ended.
Just before hummingbirds migrate, they start to intensely feed in an attempt to gain weight and fat. This behavior called hyperphagia.
These tiny birds will consume up to 50% of their weight in sugar each day from flower nectar and feeders, with insects providing the remainder.
This is why it’s so important to keep your Hummingbird feeders up and filled in September here in N.C.
It’s a good idea to leave your feeders up throughout the autumn as many other species migrating from the north & west will stop here to feed just as the Ruby Throated variety are on the way out.
Photo by @sally_siko