Birding/hummingbirds

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Expert: - 4/20/2008


Question
Hi,i was wondering if you can answer a question for me. i had 3 hummingbirdshere a week ago ,they were at my feeders,then we had 2nights of cold weather,it was in the 30's.now i have seen only one a few times.it will come to the feeder but it leaves and doesn't eat.what could be the problem.are they building nest or what please help if you can thanks,

Answer
Well, I can't be specific as there are lots of factors to consider here and this is a very specific situation. The hummingbird may not like what you have in the feeder or it may have food elsewhere. Hummingbirds need a lot of food often, so if it isn't visiting your feeder, it is getting food some place else.It could be nest building. When hummingbirds nest, they need to eat insects for protein and nectar has no protein. I don't think there is necessarily a problem here.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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