by Carol Kagan, Master Gardener
The hummingbirds are on their way.
In late February and early March the southern U.S. had the
first sightings of migrating hummingbirds recorded on the Hummingbird Migration
Sighting Map for 2014.
WHEN DO I PUT OUT MY FEEDERS?
In our area, put feeders out in mid-March to mark feeding
areas for the migratory scouts. Hummingbirds feed by sight on
regularly-followed routes - called traplining - their inquisitive nature will
quickly lead them to investigate any possible new source of food. Remember,
feeders should be a supplemental food source to nature’s nectar supplying
plants.
WHAT DO I PUT IN THE FEEDERS?
Here is how Penn State Extension suggests to
make “nectar” for your feeder. Mix 1 part
sugar to 4 parts water. Bring water to a boil and pour over sugar. Stir
solution and let cool to room temperature before pouring into the feeder. Extra
nectar may be stored in the refrigerator.
Weaker sugar solutions will be less attractive to
hummingbirds, and stronger solutions may be harmful. Never make the solution
from honey, because fermented honey can cause a fatal fungal disease in
hummingbirds. It is unnecessary to add red dye to the solution since hummingbirds
are attracted to the red coloring of the feeder. If your feeder does not have
red on it, you can use red nail polish to paint the color near the openings.
Commercial “nectar” mixes are available but are no better than those you make
yourself.
Replace the sugar solution every three to five days and
clean the feeder before adding a new supply. Wash the feeder thoroughly with
soap; you can use a weak bleach solution to sterilize the feeder. Vinegar may
be used to clean feeders too. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with hot water to get
rid of the vinegar. Remove the plastic flowers and scrub inside them with a
small brush. Make sure to rinse all parts thoroughly before refilling with
sugar solution.
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| Hummingbird at Tithonia (Torch) |
WHAT PLANTS ARE GOOD NECTAR SOURCES FOR HUMMINGBIRDS?
Create a natural habitat in your yard that includes
nectar-rich flowering plants, vines, shrubs, and trees. Even a window box can
help. Hummingbirds especially like red tubular flowers. Bee balm, bleeding heart, coral bells, fuchsia, geraniums, petunia (red ones are like magnets at my house as is the Nicotiana), nasturtiums, morning glories and more. Penn State has
a good list.
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| Hummingbird perched on a shepherd's crook |
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I PROVIDE FOR THE BIRDS?
All birds need a continuous source of water. For
hummingbirds, a drip fountain or misting device is ideal. They will not only
drink but will
bathe in it.
Although they seem to be always on the go, provide perching
spots by including shrubs or trees. There are hummingbird perches and swings
you can buy but they are not necessary.
If your yard is safe and attractive, you’ll increase your
chances of attracting nesting birds. They are not cavity dwellers and won’t use
birdhouses. Plants that provide shelter from the sun, wind and rain are also
ideal spots for hummingbird nests.
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| Nesting hummingbird (Hummingbirds.net) |
Offer nesting material (cotton fibers, gather down from dandelions, thistles or cattails, yarn, string, thread,
and even human hair) near feeders. If there's a nest nearby,
minimize activity in that area. A few muddy spots in the yard near the feeder may help, too.
WHAT OTHER THINGS SHOULD I CONSIDER?
Always eliminate pesticides as much as possible.
Hummingbirds need protein, which they get from consuming spiders and small
insects. If you use pesticides for these insects they will get into the
hummingbird food chain.
Encourage your neighbors to have hummingbird-friendly yards.
Creating a swath of good habitat through the neighborhood not only supports the
birds but provides a natural setting for bird watching.
Place feeders and water sources away for cats the same as
you would for other bird feeders.
WHEN DO I TAKE DOWN MY FEEDERS?
As the days get shorter and daylight decreases, hormonal
changes in hummingbirds cause them to migrate. Leaving your feeder up longer at
the end of the season will not cause them to stay around longer than they
should.
Leave your feeder up for about two weeks after your
hummingbirds have left for the season. This will provide nectar for any birds
that get late start on migration. If you go two weeks without seeing a
hummingbird in September or October, it’s a good sign you can take the feeder
down.
If you live in the southeastern U.S., leaving your feeder
out until at least Thanksgiving may attract one of the atypical Rufus or other
hummingbirds that are reported more and more often each winter.
Don’t forget to clean it thoroughly before storing.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their long bills,
they lick it with fringed, forked tongues.
A hummingbird’s maximum forward flight speed is 30 miles per
hour, though the birds can reach up to 60 miles per hour in a dive.
Native American folklore from Peter Guanikeyu Torres,
President and Council Chief of the Taino Indigenous Nation of the Caribbean and
Florida:
“The Taino Native American people were the first people to
meet Columbus in 1492. The Hummingbird is the symbol of the spreader of life on
the Earth. It also symbolizes the rebirth of the Taino Indian Nation of the
Caribbean and Florida. We also call our Warriors, Colibri Warriors (Hummingbird
Warriors), as the Hummingbird is very peaceful but, it protects it own homeland
with the heart of a Eagle. Our history tells us the small Hummingbirds were at
one time small flies that Agueybaba the Sun Father transformed one day into
little birds.”
HERE ARE SOME LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
