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In North America there are seventeen species of hummingbirds. They are:
1. Allen’s
2. Anna’s
3. Berylline
4. Black-chinned
5. Blue-throated
6. Broad-billed
7. Broad-tailed
8. Buff-bellied
9. Calliope
10. Costa’s
11. Lucifer
12. Magnificent
13. Ruby-throated
14. Rufous
15. Violet-crowned
16. White-eared
17. Xantus’
For birdwatchers on the lookout for different species of hummingbirds, geographical location is the key. For those who know they have hummingbirds in their area, feeders with the proper nourishment will increase the birdwatcher’s chances of actually spotting these tiny but quick little birds.
Hummingbirds have an astonishing metabolism that is primarily maintained by the ingestion of flower nectar and the sugar water humans place in feeders. Using the fuel given by the sugar and nectar the hummingbird hunts for its protein and other nutrient needs in the form of soft-bodied insects, flies and spiders. To those like my husband, this killing and ingestion of spiders make the cost of a feeder and time spent keeping it filled a worthwhile investment. To improve the chances of seeing them feeding, lay out over ripe fruit like bananas to attract flies and other insects.
A nectar or syrup for filling the hummingbird feeders can be commercially bought at places such as Wal-Mart, K-mart, lawn and garden centers, as well as most pet or feed stores. They can even be bought mail order and online. While this is the most convenient way to provide food for hummingbirds there is a way of making artificial nectar at home. There are dangers to some of these mixtures though.
Avoid any mixtures that include honey or brown sugar, as this will cause the nectar to spoil faster. This is something to be avoided as spoiled nectar can actually kill the birds. Many birdwatchers and rehabilitators also recommend not using commercial products that have red dyes in them since these have been linked to bill and liver tumors. Studies are being done to prove or disprove linking the tumors to red dyes but why take the risk?
It is true hummingbirds like the color red but since the largest selling types of feeders are red plastic or glass, the red dye is redundant. If by some chance you have a feeder that doesn’t have the color red in it, tie red ribbons on it or hang it over plants that naturally attract hummingbirds like a hibiscus.
Commercial nectars can also be expensive and there is an easy recipe to allow you to make your own at home. To begin, you will want to boil some water for several minutes, as this will slow the rate of spoilage in the feeder. Be sure to measure the amount of water you wish to use AFTER boiling, as some will be lost in the boiling process. After boiling, take four parts of the water and add one part of everyday, white cane sugar. In other words, if you wish to make up a small batch of the nectar, you would mix one cup of boiled water with one-quarter cup of CANE not beet sugar. Stir to mix well and allow water to cool before pouring it into the feeder. Store any unused nectar in the refrigerator.
Commercial and homemade nectars are to be used as a pick-me-up booster for adult hummingbirds and not as a feed for young, developing birds. As with any infant the proper combinations of proteins, calcium and other nutrients are needed for growth and bone development. Sugar water won’t accomplish this. The young hummingbird needs insects to acquire the necessary nutrients needed for proper development. If you find a young hummingbird, contact your local veterinary clinic or wild life service to find out where you can take the bird for proper care. Hummingbird feeders are great for older birds.
Feeders can also be bought at the above-mentioned sources and come in a variety of styles. Laurence J. Webster invented the first commercial feeder for his wife around 1930 that had read about feeding hummingbirds from a glass bottle in a National Geographic magazine.
Today’s commercial hummingbird feeders can come in glass, plastic and even ceramic. Style is dependent upon the preference of the human making the purchase. When choosing a feeder, make sure it is easy to take apart and clean so any old or spoiled nectar can be gotten rid of.
Humming birds do not instinctively look at feeders as a source of food so they will learn to adapt to any style of feeder you purchase. If you already have an established feeder that birds come to, you may want to hang the old feeder next to any new one you may change to. Just leave the old one empty. If you don’t already have hummingbirds visiting, place your selected feeder out and wait. Hummingbirds are naturally nosey and will eventually check the feeder out. Once they do, they will remember it and while they are feeding, other hummingbirds will observe them and come to check things out as well.
Feeders can be hung in any outdoor area. Some people will plant “hummingbird gardens” with plants that specifically attract hummingbirds and then hang the feeder above. Others will like to hang feeders near windows so they can watch the darting of the tiny birds. If you decide to place near a window, be sure to put some type of stencil or bird cutouts on the window so the hummingbirds don’t think the window is a clear area to fly and become injured after hitting the glass.
If your feeder doesn’t attract hummingbirds right away, be patient. It must be remembered that hummingbirds do migrate during the colder months and that they have to spot and then learn to use the feeder. If you know you have hummingbirds in your area but they still refuse to use your feeder, check and make sure you have cane and not beet sugar. Also make sure the artificial nectar you provide is fresh.
Watching hummingbirds zip around at unbelievable rates of speed or dive bomb each other over what they consider “their” territory can offer hours of entertainment to adults and children alike.
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