HUMMINGBIRDS
Native Central Americans called them "Flying Jewels" .....
we call them Hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are thought to have incredible memories, remembering where every flower that they have eaten from, how long it takes to reproduce pollen for the next feeding, and even returning each year to the same nesting and feeding grounds that provided them the best source of nectar and protein.
Most years the hummers begin to show up in North Texas mid to late March. Many of the flowers that hummingbirds find most attractive as a food source are the ones that bloom later in the season for us. If there is not adequate food when they are migrating north bound, they will keep going until they find an abundant supply of flowers to feed from. Providing them with a feeder helps ensure that the birds return early, nest for the summer, breed and raise their young in your garden. Once the hummingbirds find a hot spot of feeders, flowers, insects for protein and places to nest, they will be sure to come back for years to come and stay for the summer.
Nectar recipe for feeders:
1 part white sugar to 4 parts water
- boil or microwave the water until it is hot enough for the sugar to melt and suspend in the solution.
- Allow to cool to room temperature before filling feeders. (duh, I am embarrassed but admit I made this mistake once ...... poor little birds. they never came back, ouch)
- Do not add red food coloring, if the container has red on it with red flower feeder cups, that is plenty to attract them.
- Discard any solution that becomes cloudy. The sugar solution should last 2-5 days in the feeder.
- A large batch should last about 1 week in the refrigerator.
Hummingbirds facts and fun trivia:
- Native to North America and South America.
- The only species of birds that can fly forward, backwards, hover, up down and sideways.
- Some species make a 500 mile non-stop flight, 20 hours, over the Gulf of Mexico during migration.
- The wings beat up to 80 times per second during normal flight, with an average speed of 25mph.
- Have no sense of smell.
- There about 340 species of hummingbirds and about 16 species are found in the U.S.
- The smallest species, the Bee Hummingbird weights 2.2 grams and measures 2.25 inches from tip of beak to tail, while the largest, Giant Hummingbird weights in at 3 grams and a length of 8 inches. (A penny weights 2.5 grams)
- It is believed that the average life span is 2-5 years.
- They eat 2/3 to 5 times their body weight per day.
Attracting and feeding Hummingbirds:
- Hummingbirds consume about one half to a third of the diet in nectar, the other part comes from insects and pollen for protein to build muscle.
- Red is their favorite color and food source, although they will go to any color of flower that provides them nectar.
- Many hummingbirds will return to the same breeding and feeding area each year. Hummers are one of the few bird species to re-use old nests, so do not destroy any nest you find.
- Shade is very important for hummingbirds to rest between feedings during the heat of the day, and many of their favorite foods are shade loving annuals and perennials for us.
Trees and Shrubs
- Azalea
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
- Flame Acanthus
- Flowering Quince
- Lantana
- Mimosa
- Turk's Cap
- Weigela
Vines
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Cypress Vine
- Morning Glory
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Trumpet Creeper
Perennials
- Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Canna
- Cardinal Flower
- Columbine
- Coral Bells
- Dicliptera
- Hosta
- Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
- Little Cigar
- Lupine
- Penstemon
- Yucca
- Texas sage, salvia coccina
Annuals
- Impatiens
- Petunia
- Salvia species, Various
- Shrimp Plant