RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS

CHIRP BATTLE AND HUM

The ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive on the patio in early May and depart by the end of September. And, for six glorious months of the year, they have my undivided attention.

The patio garden began with a plastic feeder, a potted flower and the hope of attracting one.

It has since evolved into an annual container garden, featuring eight salvia, several ‘other’ species of flowers, such as of lantana and verbena, a water park with tiny towels, swings and perches. Each container is numbered, placed in the same location each season and bird observations are duly recorded in a spreadsheet.

An attempt to create a sanctuary for both bird and observer.

The ruby-throated hummingbirds are fiercely independent, loners in their bird world, with zero tolerance toward other birds on the patio they lord over. Yet, will sit on your finger with their weak little feet and feed on a flower, or, hover at your eye level while voicing their ferociously timid chirp in your face.

They are the backyard bully bird I never knew I needed.

Ironically, it was while waiting to see a hummingbird, when a wasp’s curious behavior prompted a question that was the catalyst for Patio Life.

Now, a new question arose, “Do hummingbirds prefer feeders or flowers?”

After three seasons and thousands of visits, the statistics have been analyzed and the question is answered, at least on this patio.