This project took me 15 minutes to complete, and 10 of those minutes were spent finding the hooks. (It took far longer to write this post than to complete the project.). I had noticed that the dominant rufous tailed hummingbird at one of the feeders would try to perch on the 2x2 inch support for the window awning. It kept sliding off the smooth, slanted surface. I thought a slim dowel held in place with 2 screw-in hooks might be the answer, and so it was.
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| The dowel in place. That speck of bright green is the hummingbird flying away before I could get the photo. (Hmmm - looks like the next project should be applying another coat of UV protective oil-based stain to the siding.) |
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| The dowel was just long enough to span the space between the supports. |
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| Hummer on guard! |
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| Even this slim dowel is huge compared to the hummer's tiny toes. |
I took a couple of videos through the screen of the window so you could see and hear the hummingbird using the perch. Turn the sound up to hear the fussing!
I used to worry that this hummer was chasing all the others away before they could feed. But then I noticed that while one hummer distracted it, others would fly in to feed. I wonder if they draw straws for distractor duty?
There's no end to your ingenuity! And observation. How great that he used the perch right away.
ReplyDeleteI was very pleased that the perch suited the hummer. They are constantly entertaining.
DeleteVery clever and a nice perch too!
ReplyDeleteIt was so simple. And instant satisfaction!
DeleteKind and ingenious. And so exciting that it was immediately appreciated.
ReplyDeleteLittle things like this make me happy.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bird, and the perfect perch! It's funny how animals develop their own systems for managing problems. (Like "distractor duty"!)
ReplyDeleteThose birds do a lot with their little brains.
DeleteExcellent. Simple solution - great effect.
ReplyDeleteSimple is good.
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