Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
are a delightful site to see
returning to the garden-scape each year.
are a delightful site to see
returning to the garden-scape each year.
Hummingbirds return to Western, NY around the first week of May but have been seen as early as mid-April. They can travel great distances to reach their summer nesting spots.
In the spring the males arrive first to map out their 1/4 acre territory. They will defend it vigorously against other males insuring the females and their young have plenty of food. You can often find them getting very aggressive around the feeders, often diving very quickly to keep others away. You can see them flying in a U shaped pattern often up to 40' high and then diving again, they can put on quite a show defending the feeder.
The male hummingbird is easily spotted by it's iridescent red throat which shimmers in the light as it moves it's head. They usually average 3 3/4" long and have a 4 year old lifespan. I actually have had one particular pair return for three years in a row. I easily recognize them by their friendly behavior when they come to the feeder, as well as certain markings.
These tiny birds require a constant source of food as they expend a lot of energy flying. They love sugar water and the nectar from flowering shrubs, trees and flowers. They can consume a lot of little insects in a day which may include ants, gnats, aphids mosquitoes and small beetles. This can be very beneficial for us gardeners for insect control.
Sugar Water Recipe
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 cup Water
Boil 3 minutes until dissolved, then allow to cool before filling feeders. Clean feeders every 4 days to keep mold from growing. You want to make sure you don't get your little friends sick.
(Image Source:wolaver.org)
Hummingbirds choose to nest on horizontal branches about 5' - 20' off the ground. They create their tiny walnut-sized nests by collecting downy material from plants, lichen from trees and rotting wood, moss and ferns too. They hold it all together by gathering nearby spider webs. The female will incubate her two eggs for about three weeks and feed them another three until they are ready to fly.
Favorite Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds
Asciepias (Butterfly Weed)
Agastache Hyssop
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Buddleia (butterfly bush)
Cardinal Vine
Chilean Glory Flower Vine
Crocosmia
Delphinium
Foxglove
Fuchsia
Heuchera ( Coral Bells)
Hollyhocks
Honeysuckle Vine
Hosta
Impatiens
Lantana
Lupine
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Morning Glory
Nicotania
Penstemon
Phlox
Salvia
Scarlet Runner Vine
Snapdragons
Trumpet Vine (can be invasive)
Weigela
Wisteria
The hummingbirds will love coming to a garden full of colorful flowers ripe with nectar. It is important, if you have the space, to plant the flowers and shrubs throughout your yard in various locations. The birds are very territorial and having a variety of areas will keep different pairs in your gardens.
Another aspect of the garden is supplying a water source for your flying friends. A bird bath works wonderful if it has a fountain or mister in it, just be sure you clean it regularly and refill with fresh water.
Selecting a variety of plants that will bloom at different times is also essential for these aggressive feeders. They will need a good supply of nectar until they migrate in early fall. The adults head South before the young do, as they still need the extra few weeks to beef up their bodies for the long journey.
Thank you for stopping by my post, I hope you enjoyed my tiny feathered friends.
Until next time, this is Sunscape...
Sun. Scape. Ing your day
I love hummingbirds! Great post!
Thank you so much @lifes-a-donut I love having the hummingbirds here every year.
Amazing shots! Birds are so beautiful! Great job...
Thank you, they are hard to photograph as they move so quickly.
O yes, I know what you mean :))))
What a beautiful post!! ^_^
Hummingbirds are so cute! But I didn't know much about them till reading your post!
Thanks for going into such detail for us. It's fun to look, but fun to learn, too! And what a beautiful garden! <3
Thank you @iceflower I am so happy you learned something about the hummingbirds. I love having them in my gardens.
Lovely photos and great information on hummingbirds---Resteemed!
Thank you very much for re-steeming that is greatly appreciated. They are very hard to photograph but I keep trying to catch them. ;-)
I absolutely love hummingbirds! Wonderful informative post! Upvoted and following! :o)
Thank you @happybirdscrafts I am glad to meet a fellow bird lover. I followed you back. Enjoy the weekend
Cute baby bird
Thank you @nationalpark I love having hummingbirds flitting throughout my gardens.
Cute little birds!
My voting power is shot to pieces, sorry for the low upvote.
hahaha that is too funny! We are on a learning curve with this one. Have a great day, I thank you for all your support everyday.
beautiful. Upvoted.
Thank you @ajain for your vote
Nice picture and good content. Thanks for sharing 100 %upvoted from @chanthasam
Thank you @chanthasam for your vote. Have a great day.
Thanks @sunscape You have clearly defined, how to care Hummingbirds. I think, you love birds but, my bad luck, due to poverty, we were going to River site, to kill the birds for meat in the year 1980.
Yes I do love the birds and care well for them. We all have bad times to get through, I hope you are well now.
Yes, now we are well. My father was working in Rourkela Steel Plant. So we have maintain our family better now.
That is great for you.