Bird of the Month
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Have you ever seen a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Arkansas? Chances are that you have encountered at least one of these terrific birds. Many Arkansans enjoy feeding hummingbirds, which visit our lovely state from approximately mid-March through lat
e October. Because hummingbirds are so beloved, we receive many inquiries about them each year. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions with my best answers provided.
What is the appropriate recipe for hummingbird nectar? Should I add red dye?
Mixing one cup of white cane sugar to four cups of water is a great recipe. Water should be heated, sugar added, and the solution cooled before being placed in the feeder. Extra nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. It is unnecessary to add red dye to nectar, because most feeders have red-colored bases. I have read that the red dye can be harmful to birds and, although I know of no known study showing these results, it is better not to risk the health of our feathered friends. Honey, which can ferment quickly, should not be used.
I have seen many feeder designs at the store – which is the best?
Most hummingbird feeders allow ‘easy access’ to the nectar, and that is high priority for the birds. One consideration is that you should use a feeder you think will be easy to clean, because this is an important task. Feeders with perches help birds conserve energy when feeding. Also, consider buying a feeder that is ‘drip less’ and also feeders that have built in ant moats (more below on ants).
Should I clean my feeders and, if so, how often?
Yes, most definitely! I have read various opinions on how often nectar should be changed and feeders cleaned. If hummingbirds have not eaten all the nectar in a week, it is time to wash your feeder and replace the nectar. Some recommend changing nectar and cleaning feeders more often than this, even 2 to 3 times per week, when temperatures reach the 80s and 90s. If the nectar solution becomes cloudy or you see black mold growing in or on the feeder, be sure to clean it. Washing your feeder with a solution of warm water and 10% bleach should work. Be sure to rinse all bleach away from the feeder before refilling it with nectar.
Why are there fewer hummingbirds at my feeder this year than I have seen in previous years?
Data suggests that hummingbird numbers remain relatively stable, so there does not appear to be a major decline in this species. However, every year I receive many calls during late June and July from individuals concerned about the lack of birds at their feeders. There are many potential explanations for this situation. First, local population fluctuations can occur in bird populations, so numbers can vary from one year to the next. Also, hummingbirds feed their young lots of protein in the form of insects, and when they have young in the nest they are likely too busy to visit feeders as frequently. In years or during times when natural food sources are abundant or plants such as honeysuckle are in bloom, birds may take advantage of these food sources. Additionally, hummingbird feeding has become so popular, that it is possible you are now competing with your neighbor! However, many avid hummingbird enthusiasts have reported that attendance at their feeders can skyrocket in the early fall. These individual birds are ‘fattening up’ prior to their long migration south (often over the Gulf of Mexico!) in the fall months.
When should I put feeders up and take them down?
Will keeping my feeder up during the fall cause bird to delay their migrations? Hummingbirds arrive in good numbers in Arkansas in about March, so putting up your feeder in early March is a good idea. Birds begin migrating southward in the late summer and early fall. Many people are concerned that leaving feeders up will delay migration. There is no evidence I know of indicating that feeders delay migration, as migration is mostly controlled by weather and length of day.
Could the same birds visit my feeders each year?
Yes, it is possible the same birds will visit your feeders many years in a row. Banding studies have shown that individual birds can return to the same breeding locations and feeders in subsequent years. These amazing birds show what is called ‘site fidelity’, and can migrate south several thousand miles to return to the same location in Arkansas the following spring. In addition to hummingbirds, sometimes orioles and woodpeckers can be seen visiting these types of feeders.
Do other species of hummingbirds ever visit the Natural State?
Yes, they do. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are our breeding species here in Arkansas and in the southeastern United States. However, other species such as Rufous, Calliope, Anna’s, Black-chinned, and others have been documented in Arkansas. These species tend to be more Western US species, but some individuals are seen mostly in the winter in Arkansas.
How do I handle unwanted visitors such as wasps and ants?
The best solution I have used to reduce ant problems at my feeder is an ant moat filled with water. Water can dry up quickly during the hot summer months, so be sure to refill frequently. Using a ‘drip less’ feeder will reduce the amount of nectar below the feeders which may reduce the numbers of wasps in the area. If wasps do find your feeder, try moving the feeder a few feet. I have read that some feeders have ‘wasp guards’ but that these feeders tend to drip more nectar than others. As time goes by, you may want to try a few different kinds of feeders and decide what works best for you.
What are some other activities I can do to make my yard bird friendly?
Providing and cover in the form of native plants is a great start. Also, providing water sources for birds can be helpful. If you do feed birds, keeping your feeders clean and trying to minimize the chance that domesticated or feral cats kill birds at feeders is also a great way to help our backyard birds. Introducing a child to birds by ‘feeder watching’ is also a great step in getting our youth interested in conservation and wildlife. Binoculars and a field guide are all you need!
The species primarily breeds in Canada and the Northern United States but is familiar to those of us in Arkansas who see the birds in great abundance in the woods and in our backyards from October through early May, when they head north for the breeding season.
To learn more about this bird and hear it’s beautiful song, go to the “Birds of Arkansas” website developed by Audubon Arkansas and AGFC.
http://www.birdsofarkansas.org/