Swarm-of-Hummingbirds.mp4

When we first got a feeder, I used to think the solitary Anna's hummingbird we saw now and then was it. But soon you could look out and see five or six hummers fighting for a place in our one-pint, four-hole feeder.

So we bought a one-quart, eight-hole feeder.

By the following year, you could look out and see 10 birds crowded around the perching ring, with another five or so waiting for a turn. We got another quart feeder.

The year after that, you could look out and see a swarm of 30 birds perched or buzzing around waiting for a spot. You could even sit in the kitchen and hear the steady hum of their wings.

These are mostly Anna's, but we have black-chinned, rufous, and calliope too. I'm not very good at identifying them, so there may be some other species too.

They are most active in the early mornings and at dusk, except in early spring, when you'll only see them occasionally. We think this is because they are feeding on blossoms a couple thousand feet below us in California's Central Valley.

At the height of the season, they go through about a quart of nectar a day. When we go away for a few days, I hang a two-quart bottle as back-up.

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Pets & Animals

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• hummingbird
• hummingbirds
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• humming birds