Since hummingbirds are a nectar-loving bird, hummingbird feeders, a hummingbird garden, or both are very helpful. With their brillant, irridescent plummage and their erratic flights, hummingbirds are one of the most sought after birds for backyard birdwatching.
Did you know that hummingbirds are the smallest bird in North America? Their humming sound is caused by their rapid wing beat. While small humming birds beat their wings 38 to 78 times per second, larger hummingbirds beat their wings 18 to 28 times per second. Unbelievably, while hovering, hummingbirds can fly both forwards and backwards. Hummingbirds eat twice their weight per day and drink eight times their weight in water. Even as small as they are, a 3 to 4 ounce bird can use approximately 35 calories per minute. Hummingbirds feed every 15 to 20 minutes during the day and even heavier at dawn and dusk to replinish their energy.
Nestlings are blind with tiny bills. Since they are unable to feed themselves, they are totally dependent upon their mother. When they hear the hum of their mother’s wings or sense movement, they beg for food. She feeds them a regurgitated mixture of nectar and insects
When the weather is bad, and they can’t feed, they will go into a torpor to save energy. During a state of torpor, they become still, stiff, and unable to fly. However, incubating and brooding females do go into this state.
Although hummingbirds get most of their energy from nectar, they need protien too. Protien is usually supplied by them eating small insects. However, if you wish to contribute their protien needs, you can also put out overripe fruit to attract fruit flies for them to eat. They especially love banana peels.
When you go to purchase a hummingbird feeder, you will want to look for certain features. These features are:
- The number of ports – Hummingbirds get the nectar by inserting their bills and tongues into the port. They curl their long bill-shaped tongue into a straw-like tube and lap the nectar like cats similar to the way cats do. Consequently, the more ports available, the more hummingbirds can feed.
- Perches - A feeder without perches require a hummingbird to burn more energy while feeding.
- Color – Color is not that critical. However, if you’re just starting to try to attract hummingbirds, red is a popular color.
- Easy to fill and clean
- Nectar reservoir – The nectar reservoir should be clear so you can see when it needs to be refilled. Stay away from embossed letters since sugar can crystallize in crevices?
- Glass - Unlike plastic hummingbird feeders, glass can be sterilized. Although, plastic feeders can discolor with age, they don’t break. There are pros and cons to both
- Size – Unless you have alot of hummingbirds, don’t buy a feeder to large. If the nectar doesn’t get used quickly, it can sour, spoil, and hummingbirds won’t drink it.
- Type – Basin-style feeders are better than the inverted bottle-syle feeders since they are easier to clean and hold less nectar.
- Bees and wasps are attracted to the yellow flowers on some ports. Either remove the flowers are paint them red before hanging the feeder. You can look for a feeder with bee guards too, but they tend to drip more. Incidently, bats love nectar too. If your feeders are emptied overnight, they may be the culprit. Bee guards will keep them out of your feeder too. Consequently, if bats are a problem, you can either buy a feeder with bee guards or take your feeder indoors overnight. However, taking them in overnight can be a problem unless you’re an early riser. Hummingbirds begin to feed as early as 45 minutes before sunrise.
If the liquid is cloudy in the feeder, it is spoiled. When refilling your feeder, rinse it with hot tap water and scrub it with a bottle brush. Hummingbirds do not like the taste of soap. At least once a month, disinfect your feeder with a 1:4 ratio of bleach to water.
Placing hummingbird feeders within a window’s view enables to you to enjoy watching them throughout the day. However, if you place it near a window, put something on the window so they don’t mistakenly fly through the glass. Glass catchers or window stick ons are helpful.
In some parts for the country, as the summer progresses, hummingbirds will become even more dependent on the feeders when their natural sources of nectar finish blooming for the year. Furthermore, since hummingbirds need to increase their fat reserves before migration, don’t take away their feeders too early. They should remain up at least a week or two after you have seen your last hummingbird. Hummingbirds that migrate late because of an illness or injury will appreciate the feeder even more.
Recipe for Hummingbird Nectar
- One part water to four parts white sugar. Although many people boil their mixture, it is not necessary. The microorganisms that contaminate the nectar don’t come from the water but the birds. Store unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Do not use honey, brown sugar, jello, fruit, or food coloring in your nectar.
If you keep your hummingbird feeders clean and full of fresh nectar, once the hummingbirds find them, you should be able to enjoy many hours pleasurable hours watching them.