I'm new to Hummingbird observation but I just wanted to share with you something about my Hummingbirds. Everywhere I've read that they very rarely perch and are in constant motion. About 12-14ft away from their feeder, I have a 100ft long dog cable and they perch on there all the time. Sometimes they just sit there preening for 10-15 minutes. I believe that right now I have mostly females and juveniles. One time my lab was laying on the top step not more than 6ft. away from them.
Hummingbird behavior
audrey - The hummers in my yard perch frequently, as well! The sit in nearby branches of small trees, where they can 'keep an eye' on their feeder, & catch a few gnats or mosquitos, or preen, or just 'hang out'. As long as my dog is lying down & I am sitting, or crouching - pulling weeds, they don't seem to mind us at all! They sometimes even come quite close to me - say 2-3 feet, & hover in front of me, especially if I am wearing a bright T-shirt, or one with flowers on it! I don't know if they are saying "Hi!" , or trying to figure out what I am! They are always good for a laugh! Samantha
mine too ! I just moved to CA, but the hummers we had in Oregon were Anna's.... they'd perch out on my apple tree guarding the feeders - EVEN in the SNOW.. I wanted to take them little jackets.
They have favorite perches in my yard too. I have one male that has claimed a trellis in my flowerbed that's in the shade of the porch and very close to the feeders. He sits guarding the feeders and charges any intruders that try to get a little sip of nectar. I love it when I'm sitting out on the porch with a bright shirt on and the hover right in front of me. I do believe they think I'm a big flower, LOL.
Audrey, mine perch in the Cherry Tree and guard the feeders. They are eating a lot now. They also perch on the feeders to eat. But they do spend a lot of time zipping around.
Elaine
I am only seeing 3 females now - could the males have migrated already? Samantha
Hi Samantha, I bet those 'ladies' chased the boys on further south.. LOL
Elaine
Thanks, Elaine - I was beginning to wonder! Samantha