Comments on: Running the hummer numbers http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/ Blogging about wild things that make my heart sing Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:24:52 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Sheri http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-235 Sheri Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:34:48 +0000 http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-235 If you're using 1:4 sugar water, 4 to 5 quarts per day at about 128 smallish hummingbirds per quart adds up to 500 to 650 birds. Their sugar consumption goes way up during migration season, and these numbers assume that they aren't using other feeders or flowers, but I think it's a reasonable ballpark estimate. Where are you, if you don't mind my asking? If you’re using 1:4 sugar water, 4 to 5 quarts per day at about 128 smallish hummingbirds per quart adds up to 500 to 650 birds. Their sugar consumption goes way up during migration season, and these numbers assume that they aren’t using other feeders or flowers, but I think it’s a reasonable ballpark estimate. Where are you, if you don’t mind my asking?

]]> By: magda http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-234 magda Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:11:05 +0000 http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-234 Hello so how many birds do i have have 12 feeders 9 is quart size 4 - 5 quart a day ., have hardtime to count, once i got up to 40 one seating. Thanks Hello so how many birds do i have have 12 feeders 9 is quart size 4 – 5 quart a day ., have hardtime to count, once i got up to 40 one seating.
Thanks

]]> By: Sheri http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-96 Sheri Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:19:40 +0000 http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-96 Good point, Andrea. This method is going to give you the most accurate estimate only if you don't have orioles, woodpeckers, House Finches, nectar bats, ringtails, flying squirrels, bears, or even a lot of bees using the feeder. Of course, a bunch of these marauders (nocturnal mammals excepted) are also going to skew the count-and-multiply method by keeping the hummingbirds away from the feeder. The consumption method also depends on relatively little evaporation, which is a big problem in the desert during the dry season (one more incentive to clean and refill your feeders daily). It's interesting to compare the birds I know have been visiting my feeder over the last couple of weeks (2 Anna's and a female Rufous/Allen's) with the two estimation methods. By the count-and-multiply method, the estimate would be double what I know for sure is here. By the consumption method, I wouldn't think I had any hummers at all if I didn't see them occasionally. I don't know where they're getting their sugar fix, but I seldom see them at the feeder except in really cold, miserable weather. Good point, Andrea. This method is going to give you the most accurate estimate only if you don’t have orioles, woodpeckers, House Finches, nectar bats, ringtails, flying squirrels, bears, or even a lot of bees using the feeder. Of course, a bunch of these marauders (nocturnal mammals excepted) are also going to skew the count-and-multiply method by keeping the hummingbirds away from the feeder.

The consumption method also depends on relatively little evaporation, which is a big problem in the desert during the dry season (one more incentive to clean and refill your feeders daily).

It’s interesting to compare the birds I know have been visiting my feeder over the last couple of weeks (2 Anna’s and a female Rufous/Allen’s) with the two estimation methods. By the count-and-multiply method, the estimate would be double what I know for sure is here. By the consumption method, I wouldn’t think I had any hummers at all if I didn’t see them occasionally. I don’t know where they’re getting their sugar fix, but I seldom see them at the feeder except in really cold, miserable weather.

]]> By: Andrea http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-95 Andrea Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:51:06 +0000 http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-95 Doesn't the nectar-consumption method also assume that the only birds using a hummingbird feeders are hummingbirds? A few orioles or woodpeckers (are any woodpeckers other than Gila known for visiting hummingbird feeders?) or nectar-eating bats stopping by can empty a feeder in a hurry. Doesn’t the nectar-consumption method also assume that the only birds using a hummingbird feeders are hummingbirds? A few orioles or woodpeckers (are any woodpeckers other than Gila known for visiting hummingbird feeders?) or nectar-eating bats stopping by can empty a feeder in a hurry.

]]> By: fatfinch http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-88 fatfinch Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:19:54 +0000 http://fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/running-the-hummer-numbers/#comment-88 Thank you for your comment to our post over at The Fat Finch and the helpful information you have provided us and our readers. We are always glad to be educated. We look forward to trying out the suggested counting methods. Thank you for your comment to our post over at The Fat Finch and the helpful information you have provided us and our readers. We are always glad to be educated. We look forward to trying out the suggested counting methods.

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