[aveschapines]

Hi Everyone,

I posted this question on another forum and got no responses. But I'm very curious to know why I don't get female Magnificent Hummingbirds on my feeder. I put the feeder up just about a year ago, and added a second one a month or so ago. It was tough going at first with the feeder; I immediately got visits from migrating Ruby-Throateds, but mostly females, and one female stayed until mid-January. I now know that I hung up the feeder a little late for the migration season (they showed up on Sept. 15 this year). Anyway, after months of no activity (although I regularly got White-Eareds and occasionally Magnificents on the patio drinking from the flowers), I moved the feeder and started getting visits - I think this was in April or May. I saw a female Magnificent once shortly after moving the feeder, and since then I have NEVER seen a female Magnificent on the feeder! The feeders are getting constant use, more all the time - there are hummers constantly at the two feeders now, and I am seeing as many as five or six at once. I'm getting a lot of female and immature male Rubies (I can now identify four of the immature males by the red spots on their gorgets), some mature male Rubies, and plenty of male and female White-Eareds, and up to four male Magnificents at once (fighting; they never share the feeder).

Where are the Magnificent ladies? I do spot them occasionally in the trees behind the house, but never on the patio or at the feeders. Can you help solve my mystery?

[costaricafinca]

Well, as of today, Oct 30th I am still waiting for any Ruby throat to show up, here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica! The blooms are all waiting....
I presume the bad weather we have experienced over the past few weeks have slowed them down.

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by costaricafinca

Well, as of today, Oct 30th I am still waiting for any Ruby throat to show up, here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica! The blooms are all waiting....
I presume the bad weather we have experienced over the past few weeks have slowed them down.

Really! I have had them since Sept. 15, and I have tons of them now. There are usually at least 6-8 of them buzzing around the feeders (I got a second feeder recently) at any given time! I can't say I'm eager to send them down to you LOL!!!!

Helen

[costaricafinca]

Mid-Sept seems very early! I usually see the mid-Oct and on the hummingbird forum I frequent, they are still around in certain areas of the USA.
I don't blame you, for wanting to keep these for yourself.

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by costaricafinca

Mid-Sept seems very early! I usually see the mid-Oct and on the hummingbird forum I frequent, they are still around in certain areas of the USA.
I don't blame you, for wanting to keep these for yourself.

Really! I'm new to birdwatching and last year I put out my first feeder in late October, so I have no idea if this is early. I'll have to see when they show up next year, I guess! I certainly didn't see as many last year; I wonder if they spread the word that I have feeders! Of course, I am far better at spotting them in the trees this year than last year.

So, I take it you don't have any thoughts about the female Magnificents?

Helen

[costaricafinca]

We get 12 species here, but not any 'Magnificents', sorry to say.

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by costaricafinca

We get 12 species here, but not any 'Magnificents', sorry to say.

Too bad! They are well-named.

[John Cantelo]

I know next to nothing about hummingbirds in general or Magnificent in particular. Are they resident, passage birds or winter visitors to your area? In some species (e.g. Ruff) males and females winter in different areas so they don't compete. Similarly, in many raptors the female is larger due, at least in part, to avoid competing for the same prey. This may be the case here with one sex preferring a different habitat/food source to avoid competing and thus boost the overall population,

[tomjenner]

I remember reading that Male and female Rubythroats separate out by gender on their wintering grounds in Central America (I think by altitude), but at the moment I can't find mention of it in my books. I also remember on many occasions seeing only males or females at a location.
There could be something similar going on with the Magnificent Hummingbirds, but I think the most likely reason is that the females are on eggs. In northern Central America many of the hummingbirds are nesting at this time of year, so this could be the explanation.

Tom

[costaricafinca]

Helen, at what elevation are you? Reading some more about the Magnificent Hummingbirds are that they only to be found at quite high altitudes, of 2,000-2500 mts. or sporadically at 1,850.

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by John Cantelo

I know next to nothing about hummingbirds in general or Magnificent in particular. Are they resident, passage birds or winter visitors to your area? In some species (e.g. Ruff) males and females winter in different areas so they don't compete. Similarly, in many raptors the female is larger due, at least in part, to avoid competing for the same prey. This may be the case here with one sex preferring a different habitat/food source to avoid competing and thus boost the overall population,

Magnificents are year-round residents here. The females aren't noticeably different in size from the males The males are vicious fighters, although a small flock of Rubies seems able to scare one off. I usually see only a single male at the feeders; occasionally two will show up, fight, and one gets to stay and feed. I have wondered if the girls just have a different feeding area.

Thanks for your ideas!

Helen

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by tomjenner

I remember reading that Male and female Rubythroats separate out by gender on their wintering grounds in Central America (I think by altitude), but at the moment I can't find mention of it in my books. I also remember on many occasions seeing only males or females at a location.
There could be something similar going on with the Magnificent Hummingbirds, but I think the most likely reason is that the females are on eggs. In northern Central America many of the hummingbirds are nesting at this time of year, so this could be the explanation.

Tom

Interesting! Last year I had one female Ruby until mid-January, even though I'm at too high an elevation for their preferred wintering grounds. I assume it was just one because I never saw more than one at a time. I also didn't see any mature males last year, only females and one or two immature males. Now I have all of the above in large quantities. I would love it if they stayed around this year too!

According to my guide, Magnificents breed here in July and August. We get frost most nights from late December-early March (some parts of the city got an early frost last night, in fact) so I wouldn't think it would be the best time to raise babies!

Different feeding grounds would seem to be the most likely explanation at this point! Thanks for your thoughts.

Helen

[aveschapines]

Originally Posted by costaricafinca

Helen, at what elevation are you? Reading some more about the Magnificent Hummingbirds are that they only to be found at quite high altitudes, of 2,000-2500 mts. or sporadically at 1,850.

Yes, they are highland beauties, and I am well within their altitude range (about 2300 meters ASL). I don't see them at lower elevations.

Helen