Mr. Homer the hummer seems to adore me. His love affair with me (and my nectar) may be called "imprinting"? I'm not sure. Here's the definition: im·print·ing (mprntng) n. A rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes an attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute or an object identified as the parent.
Okay, I'll call it "a behavior pattern of recognition." He comes when I call, he rarely leaves the yard and he won't let any other hummingbirds stay for very long. He's chased away the Anna's, Black-chinned, Broad-billed and Rufous, with one exception...the ladies. He lets the girls come for juice.
Yes, I do realize hummers can have a short lifespan, about 5-7 years. God forbid, when the time comes for my baby to go...I'm sure more will visit and stay a while. I've found three unoccupied nests in the yard this year alone. Homer has let a younger male Costa's move in the yard and I can tell them apart because the new one has a flattened elongated shaped head!
Words can't express how much joy Homer brings me and I will always treat him like my baby.