Date: 08/15/2023

Number: 20

Our Rubies are definitely full throttle, especially the juveniles. This is always an interesting time, as there is somewhat of a shift with our adults. Out of our 3 resident adult males, only one continues to actively guard his territory, which consists of 2 feeders and a garden full of hummingbird favorites. This little one is named Sprite and this is his 3rd year. His area is swarming with juveniles and adult females, although the adult females are very much no nonsense at this stage in the game. They will scold and stand up to the adult males and the juveniles and won't back down when they are at one of the feeders.

Our 2nd resident adult male, Maverick, who was just a baby himself last summer, perches about 12-15 feet high on a dead oak branch that overlooks the 2nd half of the backyard, including a large patio filled with hummingbird favorites and 3 feeders. Until recently, he refused to allow any other hummingbird in his territory and worked feverishly to chase any away the second one would venture in. However, within the last couple of weeks, he has decided to allow a juvenile male, whom we have named Piper, to share his territory with him. It's fascinating, as Maverick allows Piper to perch just below him and Piper, for the most part, now chases all others away. Many attempt to come and feed from the flowers and feeders nonstop throughout the day, yet Piper does a rather impressive job of chasing them away. Every once in awhile he and Maverick seem to frustrate one another, but for the most part, they are working as a team in their half of the backyard.

Now, even more interesting is what is going on with our dominant alpha resident adult male, Sparky. This is his 4th year. From early Spring as soon as he arrives, Sparky "owns" the entire front yard. He always chooses his perch at the top of one of the cherry trees, which gives him a great vista. It also allows us to observe him on and off all day long. His garden consists of a huge array of hummingbird favorites spread out over quite an extensive area. He also monitors a total of 4 feeders. And we catch him patrolling the entire property. Interestingly, both Sprite and Maverick seem to know he is in charge. They all get along well enough as long as the 3 of them stay in their own respective territories. In early August every year, Sparky decides to mix things up and he lays low in different areas of the property, but always near a feeder. It's as if he decides he needs a break and tires of all the juveniles. I know that he is also molting at this time. I know different areas to look for him and I'm pretty good at finding him. And when I do go and look for him, he'll squeak for me to let me know where he is. Yesterday, I found him up on a dead dogwood branch in a a shady fuchsia garden, near a feeder, which he seems to be sharing with at least one juvenile. And this behavior will continue until he decides to head south in early to mid September. Last year, he left on September 9th. Maverick left on September 8th and Sprite left on September 14th. Juveniles and our Mama hummingbirds will stagger their departures following the adult males. Our last juvenile left last year on October 15th.

Our sweet Mama hummers are magnificent and unselfish workhorses. They nest and raise their young nearly from the time they arrive until shortly before their departure again in the fall. I get to know many when they are just newly fledged juveniles themselves. And I’m always so happy to see them when they venture down from their nests and take rare breaks enjoying nectar from the flowers, as most of the time, they choose make efficient use of their time at the feeders. When I’m out working in the garden or spending countless hours watering, I’ve had many instances with my Mama hummers flying down from their nests just to hover in front of me or play in the spray of the hose as if to say hi. It's always such a sweet, special moment.

We have so many juveniles this year. My estimate of 20 Rubies total is a very conservative number. I feel that we probably have a great deal more, but it's gotten to the point that it's just so hard to count them. We do have lots of juvenile males this year. We have numerous hummingbird gardens spread throughout our property and we're slowly converting the entire property into one big garden. Our house works well to divy up the space into distinctive quadrants and territories. We have a total of 11 hummingbird feeders spread strategically around the property. We started with 1 feeder our first summer here in 2020 and one sweet, beautiful Mama hummingbird, whom we named Miss Shimmer, decided to join us. Back then, we had very few flowers for her, but seeing her come to her feeder every day throughout the day sparked a fire and I've been hummingbird crazy ever since. They are such amazing birds and I simply adore them. They have inspired me in so many ways. My daughter and husband love them as well. As a biologist, I find them utterly fascinating. I'm mesmerized by their behavior. Each one has his or her own "personality" and it's actually relatively easy to distinguish one from another by learning and following their respective routines. As a human, I find them to be such an exceptional blessing. What magnificent creatures God chose to include and share with us.

Kernersville, NC

Latitude: 36.1 Longitude: -80.1

Observed by: Sophie
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