What makes the world’s smallest
bird such a huge pleasure for us to observe?
Is it the tiny size? They weigh
about the same as a nickel. Or is it
the way they dart about that makes them so entertaining? After all, they can easily fly forward,
backward and sideways. They are so darn
cute we all enjoy having them around.
April marks the return of
hummingbirds to the Richmond area. After
a winter in Mexico and Panama, hummingbirds make their way back to our
area. Unlike many migratory birds, they do not migrate in flocks. Instead, a staggered schedule of departures continues for several
weeks. Males and females travel
separately. During the journey,
hummingbirds must travel about 500 miles over water to cross the Gulf of
Mexico, which they do in about 22 hours.
The migration process is completed around mid-May. With all that time and distance to cover, no
wonder they arrive so hungry!
Food Sources
Early blooming columbine is an
excellent nectar source for hummingbirds arriving in early spring. Bee Balm is another native favorite. Hummingbirds sip nectar from tubular or
bell-shaped flowers, making petunias and salvias good choices for attracting
the birds. In fact, the tiny birds visit
several thousand flowers in a single day.
With no sense of smell, hummingbirds are visually attracted to red but
will seek any color flower that provides nectar. People often add red food
coloring to their hummingbird feeder solution but the dye is not necessary to
attract the birds and some sources say it can be harmful. A simple solution of four parts water to one
part table sugar is the rule of thumb for making your own nectar. Keeping the feeder clean is very important. Use warm water and a soft brush rather than
harsh chemicals to clean your feeder.
Nesting
After the long migratory flight, eating is the first
priority but nesting follows close behind.
As hummingbirds are solitary birds, building the nest and raising the
young is the female’s job, with no involvement or support from the male. The female chooses a safe location before
gathering soft plant material, moss and lichen.
Gathering nest material takes about four hours a day, with up to 34
trips an hour. The female then uses
spider web to bind it all together. Nest building requires nearly a week. The
finished nest is about the size of a quarter.
Hummingbirds usually lay two eggs, which hatch in about two
to three weeks. The white eggs are pea-sized.
Hummingbirds feed their young nestlings a regurgitated “soup” of nectar
and insects. The chicks are ready to
leave the nest in about 20 days. What an
exhausting process for one parent!
Watching Hummingbirds
Nectar feeders are a great way to
enjoy watching these jeweled beauties this summer. You must keep your feeders clean and filled
to keep the birds happy. Place several
feeders in your yard to prevent a pesky male from dominating a feeder and
keeping other birds away. You can also
attract them by planting hummingbird favorites such as monarda, cannas,
columbine, cypress vine, petunia, salvia, hosta, and impatiens. You should avoid using pesticides on
hummingbird plants. In the Richmond
area, be on the lookout for Ruby-throated, Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds.
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| These hungry hummers couldn't wait for me to hang a fresh feeder |
