Ungrateful welfare class.

[Thumbcocker]

Here at the Thumbcocker compound we believe in giving a hand up to those down on their luck. Generally this is a good thing. But, sometimes, things go wrong. The hand up becomes an entitlement. A way of life if you will.

It all began in 4th grade. Our science book talked about "Nature's tiny helicopters" complete with photos and glowing prose about how they migrate great distances. I was enthralled.

With fond memories of 4th grade science, and the very best of intentions we put up feeders here at the compound. Help the little guys along on their migration route. We also have a mimosa tree in the yard.

What hath we wrought? Despite multiple feeders the recipients of our largess fight among themselves to the point that often no one gets to use the feeders.

There's more. When the feeders run low I top them off with a squeeze bottle of nectar. Fair enough. But to be engaged in refilling the feeder and having one or more of the little ill tempered miscreants hovering at arms length glaring at me while I do it is well just a little unnerving. Chalk it up to my watching "The Deadly Mantis" at an impressionable age but I get to wondering. Fukushima radiation, mutations, angry turkey sized nectar suckers, me being held captive and forced to constantly refill 55 gallon drum sized feeders. Scary.

Just look at the expression on the face of the nectar swilling little sucker. Is he thankful? NO! He is sucking down nectar like it is his birthright. I guess I will lay in the bed I have made.

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[Rcmaveric]

The older i get the more i find myself mumbling to myself "Little ********".

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[badguybuster]

When we looked at our farm the owners told us about how much enjoyment they got.out of watching hummingbirds....I told my wife "I didnt care about the birds", now Im the one sitting on the porch every evening and warching them. They are hostile little suckers!!!

[foesgth]

My wife cooks up the drugs (nectar). She went to visit the grand kids without cooking up a new batch. I couldn't fill the feeders!!!! The dog an I just hid in the house and hoped we wouldn't get Tippi Hedrened.

[buckwheatpaul]

We go through at least 150 pounds of sugar per season.....when the feeders get empty....they hover at the back door and stare into the house.....they are worth it though.....

[Winger Ed.]

We have a few that live here, and we're on their migration path also.

They are a hoot to watch at the feeder. And if you go out wearing a red hat,
they'll come right up to you and hover around, checking out that really big flower.

We always have one or two that are very aggressive towards the other 'hummers'.
We call them "The Bully Birds".

[Handloader109]

We've had a bunch last 3 years, but they kept going this year. We had a late cold snap and I guess went on further north. Had a pair last year that were awful. meanest little things ever. but fun to watch.

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[iomskp]

We do not have them in my part of the world I'm a little jealous, but we do have lots that get quite vocal if I don't put the food out on time and they show very little gratitude.

[BJK]

I think there is a human corollary in this message. At least I see it in the folks at the nations teat.

[abunaitoo]

We don't have hummingbirds here.
But I do have a feeder out back.
I like to feed the Doves.
Morning and afternoon.
Do I think they appreciate it????
Probably more than people on welfare here.
I feed birds, cats, ducks, but nothing for the homeless anymore.

[bedbugbilly]

We feed the hummingbirds when we are in AZ - amazing how many show up for a free handout, especially at dusk.

Lots to be learned by nature whether it be birds or humans . . . the more you give, the more that is expected. Funny though . . . if you weren't there for the free dole . . . they would have to depend on their own efforts to eat and survive. I'm talking about the birds . . . or am I?

[John Guedry]

We had 2 or 3 hummers last year but this year NONE.

[kbstenberg]

Most years we have multiple nesting pairs. But this year only 2 pair came back. In a computer check a lot of birds (not only hummers) have died in their wintering areas. Our Bluebirds are non existent this year. An our Balt. Or. left when the summer heat arrived.

[elk hunter]

I guess we have 3 to 5 of them hanging out during a normal year. This year so far we've only seen one. If there is more than one they do fight. They think they're eagles.

[waksupi]

The Rufus hummingbirds are pushy little buggers. When I still fed them I have four varieties using the feeders, but when ol' Ruf came around, he wasn't sharing with NO ONE!

[Cosmic_Charlie]

We have weeds that get orange flowers later in the summer. The humming birds really like them. We noticed our cat would sit under one and catch the humming birds. Must be like potato chips for him or something.

[MrWolf]

We have two that hang around. Had one of them fly into my garage last year. That was fun getting him out. Hard to see them at first, but ours make a distinctive vrmmmmm sound when speeding past. Sorry for the technical jargon but hey

[Dunross]

Now I want to watch "The Deadly Mantis" again, but I no longer have a VHS player to put my tape in!

[trebor44]

Hummers are very intelligent and all varieties of the species are territorial. Some more so than others. They will wait while you refill the feeders and are curious. Had them fly into the house and garage looking for 'food'. While they like the sugar water, they do consume a lot of the smaller bugs.

[444ttd]

i have 3 - 7 mating pairs here, this year i only have 3 pair. down our country lane, everybody has welfare sugar/water feeders!!!!! about half of the country folks also include bird/squirrel feeders(mostly squirrel). last year the hummers were fighting(shock!!!!!!) quite alot and they ended up on my walk. hummer 1 was pinned down by hummer 2 bill. i thought that hummer 1 was dead( if you ever find one dead, DO NOT take it to it your taxidermist!!!!! i know now). anyway, i walk up to them frowning and they fly away.

this year, the hummers beat the baltimore oriole by a week(BO - 9 / hummer - 1).