Hummingbirds
This article was run as a part of Jan's birding column in the St. Cloud Times, May 2008.
~~~~~It’s early May and the hummingbirds are back. They have completed their migration from Central and South America. Some of them followed coastal areas, feeding along the way. Others, wanting to get here first to get their choice of breeding territories flew nonstop 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico. They prepared for the flight by doubling their body weight prior to departure. The trip took them about 18 hours and they arrived in the United States at about 66% of their normal body weight. Exhausted, they fed heavily on flowers along the southern coast of the U.S. until they were refreshed enough to continue their journey.
~~~~~There was great concern for the hummingbirds after hurricane Katrina. They need to feed immediately upon reaching land, but the hurricane had wiped out most of their food sources along the coastal areas. A plea was sent out to help them, and many kind hearted people set their own problems aside and put out multiple feeders. Although many birds were lost, a catastrophe was avoided through their actions.
~~~~~Most people are familiar with these tiny birds, which are found only in the Americas. The ruby throated hummingbird, a tiny, iridescent green bird, is the only species found regularly in Minnesota. Males are identified by the gorget that adorns its’ throat. The gorget appears black when viewed in shade, but explodes into a spectacular flash of red when the sun hits it. The ladies like it, and the larger the gorget, the more females he attracts. Females lack the gorget, and are a more subdued green than the males.
~~~~~Hummingbirds have an unbelievably fast metabolism. Their wings beat 53 times a second-that’s 3,180 times a minute. Scientists had to use a specialized instrument called a stoboscope to measure this. This high wing beat rate allows them to hover above flowers to gather nectar. By beating their wings in a figure 8 pattern they are able to fly backwards and are the only group of birds capable of this feat.
~~~~~To maintain this high rate of motion, their heart beats at 1200 beats per minute. Hummingbirds will consume up to 50 percent of their body weight in nectar daily to fuel their flight. This provides the raw energy to capture small insects in flight, which provide protein to the bird. These insects pass through their digestive system very rapidly, usually within 10 minutes. Hummingbirds will also pick spiders from their webs, and will occasionally become trapped in a web and die.
~~~~~It is very easy to draw these wonderful creatures to your yard. Planting flowers is a great way to attract them. Tubular flowers produce more nectar than others and hummingbirds will visit them regularly. Red flowers are the most visible to the hummers, but other colors also work well. Favorites include wild columbine, large flowered beardtongue, and cardinal flower. Stick with flowers that are native to Minnesota to help preserve native plant communities. Japanese honeysuckle was once widely planted to attract hummingbirds, but is now highly invasive and difficult to control.
~~~~~You can also offer nectar in specialized hummingbird feeders. Stick with functional feeders, as most decorative feeders do not work well. Be sure to get a feeder that is easy to clean. Feeders with lots of nooks and crannies will grow black mold and mildew, which is harmful to the birds. Fill the feeder with nectar that is dye and preservative free. Place the feeders near a colorful flower garden. If you see black spots or cloudy nectar in your feeder, clean it thoroughly with specialized brushes and vinegar water. Do not use bleach. Change the nectar every two days in the heat of summer.
~~~~~You can also attract them by offering soft, downy nesting materials. They will use this to line their tiny, fifty cent piece sized nest. Do not waste your money on hummingbirds “nests” that are available commercially. They simply do not work.
Hummingbirds love misters which attach to your hose and spray small droplets of water into the air. They bathe by flying through the mist.
~~~~~Hummingbirds adapt well to humans, and their numbers remain steady. By providing the basics of food, shelter, and water in a clean, chemical free environment, we can be assured of enjoying them for years to come.
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