The hummingbirds showed up a week or so ago. We put out the feeders but generally only have one species show up, the "Black-chinned", and a only a few of those. We don't have the ruby-throated birds around here.

The first week or so back I suspect is one of exploration; a few visits to the feeder but not much action. After that first week or so, the territory battles begin and I sometimes suspect the males are more interested in fighting than eating.

The chin usually appears black but if the sun hits just right, an iridescent violet color appears. The bird is identified by a white chest, "metallic" green body, and a darker metallic green head ... and the black chin.

While I've seen swarms of hummers at some feeders, I've never seen or than 3 or 4 at our feeders - I suspect our particular environment won't support more.

The feeder is just off the back porch and only a couple of feet from the outer branches of a large honey locust tree where I suspect they nest. The birds ignore the cats; the cats have figured they can't catch them so they ignore the birds (the cats concentrate on the doves and quail; the magpies mess with the cats' heads). For the most part, the hummers ignore us as well; I can stand fairly close to the feeder and it doesn't seem to hinder their feeding.

Just another pleasant valley Sunday ...

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