We’re seeing a lot of new faces in the store these days and in many cases we have our regular customers to thank for spreading the word about The Wood Thrush Shop. Thanks, everyone!
All of our summer resident Ruby-throated hummingbirds are here and beginning, or well into, their first nesting of the season. Like Bluebirds they all don’t start nesting at the same time. There could be as much as a month difference in the first nesting phase between the earlier arrivals in March and April and the later arrivals in late April and May. The nesting phase is the reason people generally see far less of hummingbirds now as opposed to July through September. Hummingbird feeders are not in high demand at this time and will serve only for quick visits and a brief drink. When nesting is near conclusion in mid to later July that is when hummers begin visiting feeders with frequency and with intent to fatten up for the long migration back to Central and South America.
With that in mind keep fresh nectar in the feeder but do not fill to capacity. Small amounts are recommended now to decrease waste and major cleaning of feeders. In warmer weather nectar is only good for 3-4 days at a time.
Obviously, birds are beautiful creatures but it’s their behavior that really grabs my attention. This time of year there are so many interesting bird courtship displays that are worthy of looking for. Recently, while sitting on the porch watching over my yard I witnessed a behavior of male hummingbirds that you must look for. Adult males will fly in a big, vertical U-shaped pattern while trying to impress a female perched nearby. It is mind boggling to see as you can imagine the complexity of flying sideways and up and down rapidly. The male completes this large U pattern between 5 and 7 times before resuming his bossy ways.
Males and females have little to do with one another outside of actually mating. Females build the nest, handle all the incubation duties, and raise the babies.