OT: hummingbird attack!

[sedorusc]

so I've had my feeder out a couple of weeks now and all I noticed was the ants eating from it, so I bought a new feeder and moved it. come outside today to notice it half empty. start looking for ants only to find none. must've had there fill for the day and start to walk into the yard the little dark speed ball come flying by me. attack was a strong word but i nearly hit the deck. turns out I have a couple out there fighting over it and one is very dominant. gonna try to get a picture from the kitchen window but no promises. never seen them land before but then I never had a feeder with a perch for them either. very fun to just sit and watch.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

ants are hummer food

ants are hummer food

hummers will eat insects that gather around feeders

 

[sedorusc]

hummers will eat insects that gather around feeders

interesting fact I never knew. hopefully will get to see as I'll probably spend most of my time watching them as I grill. were flying around as I grilled tonight too. not as timid as I thought they would be. sat in a chair about 15 feet away and watched them. plus through the kitchen window. thats also how I found out I have a woodchuck under one of my sheds. looking for a live trap if anyone has one.

 

[museumguy]

hummers will eat insects that gather around feeders

I'm no expert but it is my understanding that hummingbirds only go after flying insects and generally leave ants alone.

I'm actually in Tucson, AZ and got to visit the Sonoran Desert Museum today and visited their hummingbird aviary. I snapped this photo of a male Broadbill Hummingbird.

Cheers!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

:wavehand:

wish I was there.

I just had a female Ruby Throat hovering at my back door for several seconds watching me. She then moved to the window and was watching the aquarium. I've seen Ruby Throats take ants.


Believe it or not

 

[museumguy]

Thats cool that you saw them take ants. They release fruit flies in the Sonoran exhibit by the hundreds each day and the birds are constantly zooming around picking them out of mid air. Very fun to watch.

 

[mynock11]

My wife is HUGE hummingbird fan we have a plant on the deck they really like they visit everyday. they are brown with like a red throat to belly she gets so excited..

 

[superkat]

here in the 19th ward....my neighbors and I alert each other of the impending bombardment of the feeders: "INCOMMING!!!!!"

 

[shawna1972]

I'm no expert but it is my understanding that hummingbirds only go after flying insects and generally leave ants alone.

I'm actually in Tucson, AZ and got to visit the Sonoran Desert Museum today and visited their hummingbird aviary. I snapped this photo of a male Broadbill Hummingbird.

Cheers!

Nice shot! Was hoping you'd snap a few pics Thanks for sharing.