It is almost time for the arrival of our summer guests, the hummingbirds. We put our feeders out in March just in case we have some early arrivals. After their long journey from Central America and Mexico, we want them to have food as soon as they arrive. We make our own homemade feed from 1 part sugar (not honey) to 4 parts water. Mix it and boil for 1-2 minutes. After cooling we store it in the refrigerator until needed. Actually, it seems our birds prefer more of a 3:1 mixture of sugar to water, but the experts advocate 4:1. Just be sure to keep the solution fresh and the feeders clean. You need to clean the feeds every 2-3 days with soapy water or even a solution of vinegar. Be sure to rinse them carefully.
There are lots of myths about these beautiful and entertaining birds. They do not suck the nectar but use their long bill to penetrate the flower and then extend their tongues and lick up the nectar. They can lick at a rate of 13 licks per second. The baby hummingbirds are not taught to fly by their parents. They instinctively know how to do this. Not only do hummingbirds drink nectar, but they catch insects as well. You may also catch them eating sap from the holes drilled into trees by sapsuckers. Many people believe the birds prefer red flowers and thus add red food coloring to their sugar mixture. However, red food coloring is not recommended due to the uncertainty about the impact of the dye on the birds. Hummingbirds do not migrate on the back of Canada geese. This is just another one of those "old wives tales".
You've heard the saying, "build it and they will come". Well when it comes to hummingbirds you can say, "put out the feeders and they will come".
This print of the ruby-throated hummingbird is available for $25.00.
