Humming Birds

[Dennis1209]

Not as many this year as past years by a long shot.

 

I've done a little research on those fascinating little creatures but could not find an answer to a couple of my questions about them, maybe you guys know?

 

I usually don't put my feeders out until about the first week of May, as it seems that's when the little critters come up here in NW Tennessee in earnest. The last few years I've noticed a number of humming birds coming and hovering where I put the feeders before I put them out for the season, as if they were here last year? Will / do humming birds come back to the same area year after year from South America / Mexico?

 

Also, I couldn't find any information on how long they live other than it's speculated two years?

 

If I were going for my P.H.D., I believe my Doctoral Theseus would be the study of Humming Birds... Fascinating little critters!

 

 

 

 

[peejman]

Not as many this year as past years by a long shot.

 

I've done a little research on those fascinating little creatures but could not find an answer to a couple of my questions about them, maybe you guys know?

 

I usually don't put my feeders out until about the first week of May, as it seems that's when the little critters come up here in NW Tennessee in earnest. The last few years I've noticed a number of humming birds coming and hovering where I put the feeders before I put them out for the season, as if they were here last year? Will / do humming birds come back to the same area year after year from South America / Mexico?

 

Also, I couldn't find any information on how long they live other than it's speculated two years?

 

If I were going for my P.H.D., I believe my Doctoral Theseus would be the study of Humming Birds... Fascinating little critters!

 

My understanding is yes, they'll come back. 

 

Leave the feeders out during the typical migration window (both directions) and you may get some transients that'll stop for a snack along the way.  They'll remember too. 

 

I think their life span is more like 4 years in the wild.  They'll live longer in captivity.  I'll have to re-read field guide when I get home.

Edited July 9, 2013 by peejman