The Texas Hummer, Spring 2000 Page: BACK COVER
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Blanche Davis from Harris
County reports that "In
August when the birds really
come in" they had "2 birds
sitting on each other's backs
and eating from the same
flower at our feeder." This is a
very interesting observation
given the hummer's reputa-
tion for aggressively defend-
ing food sources.
Jim Woodley of Washington
County may have found a
way to notice the dominant
birds at a feeder. He noted
that the birds he considered
dominant at the feeder would
feed longer than what he
identified as transient birds.
Bill and Edna Courtney from
Dallas County report that
females can be aggressive too
as they noticed a young
female and an adult female
aggressively displaying to one
another for a period of more
than 20 minutes. The aggres-
sion seemed to be centered
on a feeder.
Helen Baines of Fort Bend
County observed humming-
birds using their bill as aweapon during migration.
She describes a particularly
aggressive male (not a Rufous
from her report) pecking
other hummingbirds with it's
bill. An interesting character
behavior at one time not
accepted by hummingbird
researchers.
One of our observers wit-
nessed an example of why
we encourage people to keep
their feeders active year
round or to put them up
EARLY in the year. Rosie
McFarland of Jones County
noted "the first I knew they
were back, flying around
where I hung the feeder,
shocked me. Didn't think they
came back that early."
The Birdwell Family from
Dallas County found that,
despite records where the
stars and stripes have
attracted hummingbirds,
hanging the flag too close to
the feeder may discourage
the birds.
Rose Ann Jordan of Jefferson
County has noticed that,
since she has planted Mexi-can Heather she has fewer
problems with bees around
her feeder. Might this be a
natural control for this pest?
The bees seem to spend more
time near the Mexican
Heather.
Dohummingbirds and snow
mix? Apparently so. Rosemary
English of Lubbock County
reports an immature Rufous
dodging snowflakes in 18
weather last winter! This bird
apparently celebrated the
new year with a bottle of
warmed sugar water!
Finally, Ken Dollar from
Chambers County reinforces
our confidence that hum-
mingbirds will look anywhere
for a free lunch. He notes
that a single female Ruby-
throated Hummingbird
checked out the amber
running lights on his travel
trailer, followed by the red
Texas symbol on his license
plate, and finally the blue
safety seal on his electric
meter. An interesting combi-
nation of colors - especially
the order.THE COORDINATOR
LEARNS TOO!
This past season taught the
coordinator an important lesson
about citizen science projects -
keep the forms current!
Trying to use the remaining
1998 forms served only to
increase confusion - both in
the office and for some of our
participants. I apologize for the
confusion and the 2001 forms
are already on the press!4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744
1-800-792-1 112
www.tpwd state.tx.us
PWD BR W7000-242) (5/00)8
THE TEXAS b a4
is a publication of
Texas Parks and Wildlife's
Wildlife Diversity Program.
Written by Mark KlymRecipe for Making Your Own Hummingbird Food
Ingredients: 4 parts water, 1 part sugar
Directions: Bring water to boil, stir in sugar, and boil for
2-3 minutes. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator.
Reminders: Do not substitute with honey. Feeders should be cleaned and refilled
every few days, and remember it is necessary to clean the feeder
more frequently during the warmer months than in the winter.JN1107 , T9 1 M I'Arl! MMuhl WIC IVIIAI.8fi
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Texas. Parks and Wildlife Department. Nongame and Urban Wildlife Program. The Texas Hummer, Spring 2000, periodical, May 2000; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1588011/m1/7/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.