They may be local fledglings or they could be migrants. It has always been my impression that the fledglings are extremely active, chasing each other around and investigating everything. It is a short learning curve before they undertake the most difficult journey of their lives, their first fall migration. They must contend with each other and more experienced adults for food resources, because if they are not in perfect condition they have little chance of making the trip to Mexico. It is probably rare that they hurt each other by direct conflict. It is more likely that those that don't measure up in get pushed into more marginal habitats where they are unable to find enough food. Even if they don't die locally they will be ill prepared for the rigors of migration.

Then again, I could be wrong.

They are now migrating and your place has become a way station for them on their way south! Yes they are very aggressive but they seem to be no worse for the wear!

Congrats on your mini hummer jamboree and camp out... LOL I look forward to seeing some more myself. As it was, yesterday was my busiest day of the whole season and I'm thinking I had more than my one little one visiting but it is so hard for me to tell...

Well I think I have a pretty great habitat for them, we are on hundreds of acres of natural forest land with lots of fields of wild flowers. I have two large vegetable gardens in bloom right now and a 400 gal pond that all my other birds just love, lots of gnats over it. I did relocate the bullfrog to a nearby lake after I witnessed it eat a Chipping Sparrow. I see that they would like a misting type of water feature, I have 2 long flagstone waterfalls in the pond with slow running shallow water on them is this a good Hummer feature, I have not seen them land in it.
How long can I expect them to stick around? I sure am enjoying them!
Lisa

Welcome to the Hummingbird Forum, Lisa! Your place sounds like a bird heaven. Glad you relocated the bullfrog. They are definately a hummer predator.

The hummingbirds are beginning their journey to South America, but you should see them around for a little while longer. The great thing is, they remember the places they fledged and will be back next year.

Disclaimer:I do not agree with nor endorse the use of "Sponsored Links" possibly embedded in my posts by the owner of this or any other website, and I choose not to patronize businesses whose ads are linked to my posts without my knowledge or consent.

Congrats--sounds like you have a first-rate hummer property. You are in the midst of prime breeding habitat--a large, relatively undisturbed chunk of eastern deciduous forest. Being in or near a sizeable chunk of good breeding habitat is a limiting factor for many hummgardeners. All you need to do is "set the table" for them (feeders and/or flowers) and you should have good numbers of hummers to enjoy throughout the hummer season.

Disclaimer:I do not agree with nor endorse the use of "Sponsored Links" possibly embedded in my posts by the owner of this or any other website, and I choose not to patronize businesses whose ads are linked to my posts without my knowledge or consent.

Lisa, you are indeed fortunate to have such a bird haven.
Put out some more feeders to suppliment the nectar they get from flowers.

In all my years i've only seen one time when a hummer
came to a bird bath.
I think Frank has a certain type of bird bath that his
frequent, then again my memory may be off. Someone on this
forum posted pictures of hummers on a birdbath.

If you have a sprinker with a fine spray or a mister
they love it. Especially on a hot, dry, summer day.
My birdbath has a dripper and I think that was what
attracted the one hummer to it.

Enjoy those wonderful little treasures. Be good to them and
they will keep you entertained from spring to fall.

Jan