The Hummingbirds Have a Reminder
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
Nashville, Tennessee
September 13, 2019 12:54pm CST
Being a member of a hummingbird group, we get reminders each fall. Many forget when is the right time to take your hummingbird feeder down. You can see the photo above explains it pretty well.
Scientists believe that each hummingbird begins its migration in response to environmental triggers. One trigger is the changing level and angle of sunlight. Another trigger is believed to be a drop in available natural food.
As these signals continue to activate, the hummingbird makes its preparations and eventually departs. Source: Perkypet.com
I wrote about the migration of the hummingbirds a week or so ago. Such amazing tiny birds. A miracle how they survive.
Snapped this photo of a female ruby throated hummingbird at my deck feeder. I was sitting on the deck steps, camera in hand, waiting on the bluebirds to return...
12 people like this
11 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
13 Sep 19
thanks fer sharin' this, hon. the latter hatchlings 're most oft the last to leave, needin' more time to build their strength'n stamina 'fore makin' their way. i leave 't least 1 feeder out 'til the first part 'f october, jest coz i've seen 'em come through here that late'n the year.
i've been comparin' shots taken here 'n 't seems i've been mis-calculatin' how many're still here. lots more females than 1st thought 'f both the allen's 'n the ruby's. the males? sneaky lil devils'n 'tis proven most diff'cult to get good identifyin' pics 'f those fellas.
many folks seem to think that since such'tis not hot, they've not a need to clean those feeders oft - hopefully they'll heed this 'dvice. the hubs's the worlds worst - they've still sugar water, so why bother? sigh...
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Sep 19
You are so welcome. Many forget about these important reminders. Mine are moving so fat it is often hard to tell. You have to keep the feeders clean. The hummingbirds could die as you know. Mold and other bacteria can grow on the feeders. When it is this hot mine get change every couple of days.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
13 Sep 19
@CarolDM i've shown the hubs the feeders, the biofilm that grows so quickly - same's with the outdoor critters waters - he turns a blind eye to such. i'm diligent 'bout such. i jest got finished cleanin'/refillin' the 2 i've out here. one 'tis jest fer the hummers ('n bullock's orioles when they came), the other tends hummers, sparrows 'n red house finch. the latter 'f which learnt from the orioles that if'n they bounced the feeder, sugar water'd come out. i get a kick out'ta watchin' the parents tryin' to teach their young to do the same :)
the brightness with the cloud cover (odd, i know) sure did a number'n my hummer ('n other) pic snappin' thus far today.
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@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Sep 19
@crazyhorseladycx Great shot, oh my goodness! Beautiful, thank you for the smiles.
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@sallypup (69157)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Sep 19
@CarolDM I do have various red flowers and such out but never have seen a hummer here. My red trumpet flower vine started blooming this year. I was hoping to spot some hummers but so far no. I saw and heard them lots when I lived West side.
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@DesirousDreamer (34776)
• Peoria, Arizona
13 Sep 19
I wish we had a hummingbird feeder. Maybe we will get one someday. I remember always being upset because my dad and stepmom never took care of their feeder and yet everything in their house was hummingbirds.
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@DesirousDreamer (34776)
• Peoria, Arizona
18 Sep 19
@CarolDM It is more of we don't really have a place to hang them and also dust storms are pretty crazy so probably not the best idea haha I would rather get a bird bath first.
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@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
13 Sep 19
They are so tiny and very hyper it seems...we don't have these beauties locally in Hawaii, so any pictures is a welcome sight. Thanks!
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@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
21 Sep 19
@CarolDM
I understand, for I love watching the little waxbill birds so cute as they graze and always in pairs or packs. They are so cute and so are the white eyed bird. Tinier than sparrows and shyer than sparrows. Sparrows are shy birds, already, but these 2 are even more shyer. I like seeing the brown manikin birds so serene to watch as they go about their daily grazing. 
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@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
13 Sep 19
I like hummingbirds but I never set up my feeders.
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@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Sep 19
They are fun to watch. It never made sense to me that they would not leave. The animals know what to do.
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@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
13 Sep 19
You take such good care of the birds and butterflies. They know where to go for a meal or a bath.
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