Here is a new thread for 2018 hummingbird photos. They show up here around the first week of April but they come earlier to other areas...

This picture is from last year.

A little early for hummingbirds here. We'll be prepared when they start to arrive though.

I love hummers! These are some pics from last year. I haven't gotten any of them ID'd so if you know them, please share! Ours come back in May.

Those are some great pics, Karen.

Thank you! We have a second story deck, and sometimes we sit out trying to photograph them. They're so fast! I need to get my tripod out.

TAKING A POLL ON HUMMINGBIRDS HABITS IN YOUR AREA.

In Nova Scotia, only once did I ever have a hummingbird feeder out, which attracted at least two pairs of "hummers" at the same time, with no territorial fighting. Have never witnessed such a phenomenon since!
I know we have all witnessed postings, (not on this forum), of hummingbird feeders "loaded with hummers"! I will accept your actual experience and photos on this question, but if from somewhere else, do not want to know. Just want to know your experience? Cheers!

Karen, I have never seen a "hummer" male, the colour of the one you posted! Please tell me that that is not a ruby-throated? Really exceptional, whatever it is? Cheers!

I don't know if it is a ruby throated one. We were guessing Rufous, but really have no clue. We normally have 2 feeders out. Each one can get 8 to 10 fighting over a feeder. Here is one pic that isn't very good, but you can see the group.

We start with 2 feeders initially and usually end up with 6, all in relatively close proximity. They are too far away to get really good pics, even with telephoto.

The male in question is a Rufus (Rufus rufus). Here along the coast we have the Allen's which are a sub species ( Rufus sedentarious), aptly named because they don't migrate, whereas Rufus rufus does. I have three feeders out year round.

Hummingbirds are very active here as they never leave Tucson. The only time I have ever seen several Hummers sharing a feeder was late in the day when it was extremely cold out . Otherwise it is combat.

They share during migrations as the one that thinks he owns the feeder becomes out numbered, but it is still mostly early morning and at dusk when they need the calories for heat.

No photos but we have seen swarms of hummingbirds around the feeders as a hurricane blew through this area as a category one. There was no fighting or possessiveness. It was all business.

Otherwise they will NOT share...

I've had very good results with the hummingbirds getting along all season long when I put the feeders close together. I've had four feeders hanging together and others not far away. Every year the feeders are arranged a little bit different but from what I've observed, when the feeders are all together they seem to get along better.

I've been putting the feeders out for about ten years now and every year there are more hummingbirds than the last. It must be generations that come back. It started with just two hummingbirds and now there are probably a hundred that show up! Last year we went through 110 pounds of sugar which was a record amount for a year!!

I'll try to find some pictures...

That's ok. With only a dozen or so, people are afraid to stand on my porch or patio. They get very nervous when the hummers whizz by close enough to feel the breeze.

We have a feeder above the back deck where we sit. Never been attacked yet .

Carol there was a good bit of combat on our patio this week! They zoomed all around me, it was duck or get impaled!

Linda, I hear that! It does make me happy to wear glasses. Over the years, I've gotten used to it, but guests always duck.

Our hummies don't usually arrive until around mid March so just waiting here.

It does seem like a good idea to be on guard while the little hummers are zooming around like darts!