The Fun of Feeding Hummingbirds

Jewels of the sky

With their jewel-like colors and acrobatic antics, hummingbirds are one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating birds to attract and feed.

There are over 320 known species of hummingbirds in the Americas. The greatest number of hummingbird species are in South America; only twelve species of hummingbirds are common to North America: Anna’s, Ruby Throated, Rufous, Magnificent, Blue-throated, Broad-billed, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Lucifer, Black-chinned, Costa and Buff-bellied. Of those species only one, the Ruby-throated, can be commonly found east of the Mississippi.

Hummingbirds are among the world’s tiniest birds. The smallest hummingbird, the 2 1/4 inch Cuban Bee, weighs only two grams. The largest hummingbird, the 8 1/2 inch long Patagonia, weighs less than an ounce. A hummingbird’s egg is only about the size of a jellybean, although in proportion to body weight a hummingbird’s eggs are the largest of any bird.

Despite their size hummingbirds are very strong fliers. The aggressive little Rufous migrates from Mexico to nest as far north as Alaska, reaching higher latitude than any other hummingbird species. The smaller Ruby-throated hummingbird migrates nonstop from as far south as Panama all the way up to southern Canada. 

Hummingbirds are also very adept fliers and can hover as well as fly sideways, backwards and even upside down. They have a clocked flight speed of 27 miles per hour and it is suspected they can reach at least 50 miles per hour.

Not surprisingly hummingbirds have one of the world’s highest metabolic rates, expending up to 155,000 calories of energy per day. To fuel this energy hummingbirds eat large quantities of food, up to 1 ½ times their weight each day. It is estimated that ninety percent of a hummingbird’s time is spent zipping from flower to flower in search of energy rich nectar. The remaining ten percent of time is spent looking for insects, which they pluck out of the air while searching for nectar.

Attracting and feeding hummingbirds

Hummingbirds will readily take nectar from commercially made nectar feeders. A hummingbird feeder allows you to bring the birds to where they can be most easily seen and enjoyed.

There are two basic types of hummingbird feeders: saucer style feeders and vacuum style feeders. Vacuum feeders are the more popular of the two styles and come in a wide range of capacities, materials and designs. Most vacuum style feeders can be hung from a tree limb or pole. There are some models that can be mounted directly to a window for maximum viewing enjoyment.

When shopping for a hummingbird feeder, look for products that have the following characteristics:

- Bee Guards

  Bees are attracted to the same sugar-water nectar mixture as hummingbirds. Bees are a nuisance to feeding birds and can foul the nectar. Bee guards make it difficult for the bees to get to the nectar.

- Ant Moats

  Ants are also attracted to the same nectar as hummingbirds and bees. They too can foul the nectar.

- Capacity

   Hummingbird feeders are available in a wide range of capacities. Choose a feeder that matches the number of hummingbirds available to feed in your area. This will reduce waste and the likeliness of the nectar being neglected and going bad.

- Clear nectar container

   A clear nectar container allows you to see the nectar level and determine when it is time to refill.

- Easy to clean and fill

  Assembly (if necessary), filling and cleaning should be easily accomplished. Products that are top rack, dishwasher safe offer a distinct advantage.

- Perches

  Hummingbirds do not require a perch to dine. They generally eat on the fly. However, hummingbirds are capable of perching and offering them a perch may give them an incentive to hang around for a while. The perches should be at a distance approximately 1 ½” from the opening in the feeding port. This dimension will accommodate the widest variety of hummingbirds found in North America. 

- Materials

  Most commercially produced feeders are made of either all plastic or are of a combination of glass and plastic. The variable is the nectar container. Plastic containers are easier to scratch and dent. Glass is more durable and resists scratches.

There are also a number of good, commercially made hummingbird nectars. Look for nectars that will dissolve easily in cold water and are made with only natural sweeteners.

It may take a while for the hummingbirds to find a feeder. For the first week or two, you can mix one part food with three parts water. This will make a sweeter mixture that will attract hummingbirds faster.

Hummingbird feeders require regular cleaning and refilling. The sugar-water based nectar attracts insects and debris. In hot weather and under direct sunlight the nectar can also ferment. Hummingbirds do not find dirty feeders with old nectar appealing. Bad nectar is also dangerous to the bird’s health. In extreme weather conditions, feeders should be cleaned and filled every two days.

Hummingbirds are very territorial birds and will defend their flowers and their feeders. You may want to put up more than one feeder in different parts of your yard. Some enthusiasts prefer to put up several smaller capacity feeders vs. one large capacity feeder. This allows them to feed a greater number of birds without territorial battles.

Planting for Hummingbirds 

--Written by Mark Zieff