Hummingbird Imposters (Mystery Solved)

Self | 9-20-2002 | blam

[blam]

The last three years, at this time of year, I have put out my hummingbird feeders and I presently have 12 feeders hanging around my house, each feeder has 5-6 birds around it.
I have hummingbirds everywhere.

Now, over these last three years each evening as I go out to refill the feeders I catch sight of a strange looking 'bird' that quickly disappears so fast that I began to question whether I actually saw anything. Well, three days ago I finally got a good look at one of these critters.
It is a hummingbird looking thing but a little more fluffy and maybe a little more puffy than the 'standard' hummingbirds. I went to the library and looked through all their hummingbird books and didn't anything that looked like this 'bird.' I was beginning to think that I'd discovered a new species of hummingbird. This 'thing' does not go to the hummingbird feeders but to the flowers nearby that the hummingbirds do not bother with. I don't know what the flowers are but they are shaped like trumpets and I have decided that they are to deep for the hummingbirds to reach the nectar at the bottom. Last night I went on-line and below is what I found.

"We have had numerous reports of small orange and brown or zebra-striped "hummingbirds." These are usually hawk moths (or sphinx moths). They act just like hummingbirds, but they are insects."

These critters have a 'fold up' straw that is about six inches long that they fold out (like a carpenters folding rule) and insert into these flowers and get the nectar at the bottom.

Anyway, I thought I may enlighten some other Freepers to these Hummingbird Imposters
BTW, when the hummingbirds leave here, they fly for 26 continuous hours across the Gulf Of Mexico to the Yucatan.

[FormerLib]

You'll never read anything like this on Demonrat Underworld (or some such thing, whatever).

Thanks for the post.

[blam]

" Seems the feeders have to well designed to keep bees and wasps from dipping into the sugar water."

I have 2-3 different kinds of feeders, they do have favorites...and the one with picture of the bat is not one of their favorites.

[error99]

cool link.
It gives the distance "as the crow moth flies".

[error99]

Did you say honey or money?
either way its probably a bad idea.

[blam]

"I guess he can still be a "Tuff Guy"."

...and you still have to call before you come.

[error99]

"Next week, I may tell you about the "Indian Mounds' I found on my property. "
Why wait til next week?
Don't keep us in suspenders.

[Humidston]

I read some of your site and it was interesting, however, it neglected to mention one caution told to me by a wildlife professional:

Never never dye the water with food coloring. The dye will damage a hummer's digestive tract.

(Thought I'd add that tidbit for other bird-lovers out there. ;-)

[another cricket]

Next week, I may tell you about the "Indian Mounds' I found on my property.

Your neighbor's dog is named Indian?

a.cricket

[LasVegasMac]

What does GWB know about these things - and when did he know it?

Just kidding, of course. I have seen these critters in my backyard on occasion - thought they were a moth on steroids or something.

Usually have lots of humming birds - cool to watch. When I had on a bright red baseball cap, and stood still, they would sometimes come up to within inches of my head. Distinct whirring sound from the wings going warp one.

Thanks for the info.

LVM

[VRW Conspirator]

You'll never read anything like this on Demonrat Underworld (or some such thing, whatever).

Oh yes you will! Follow the little hummingbird as we go...

Kumbaya mmm-mmm, Kumbaya. Kubaya mmm-mmm, Kubaya...(everybody now). Kumbaya mmm-mmm, Kubaya....

[blam]

"Why wait til next week?
Don't keep us in suspenders."

Here's a teaser:

Dauphin Island Shell Mounds

FYI, Dauphin Island was the capitol of all the Louisiana Territories in 1699. (Cadillac Square is now a public picnic area)

[billhilly]

We just saw the same insects on a blooming bush near Port Tobacco, Maryland. It was in a beautiful Church Yard overlooking the Potomac River. My brother and his wife were along, and it was he who identified it as an insect.

[Cagey]

...and you still have to call before you come.

Hahahaha Yes, I remember that.

I always enjoy your interesting threads.

[RightOnline]

"Did you say honey or money? either way its probably a bad idea."

Boy, isn't that the truth? Last time I slipped a fin to a hummingbird, he picked up some brewskis for his buds and they proceeded to get trashed and make a mess all OVER my deck. Little beer cans.........little birdie poop piles (well, they DID drink a lot, so lost control)........think they even had little humminghookers there.

I was actually impressed by how far they stretched a fiver................but still.....................

[blam]

"Never never dye the water with food coloring. The dye will damage a hummer's digestive tract."

Yup. There are a lot of ways to screw up. It's to easy just to buy (for a couple bucks) the premixed solutions. They contain all the nutrients needed. If you're gonna do, "Do it right."

[JLO]

Exactly, EggsAckley!

What I thought also though was great is those humingbirds can get along well enough to have more than one to a feeder at a time! Ones around here fight terribly to dine alone, LOL!

[Redcloak]

Bring the feeder back in if you see this buzzing around...

[error99]

a fin for a hummer?
not a bad deal.

[Mike Darancette]

Nice detective work - Now get back to figuring what happened in 540 AD.