Wood Thrush Notes

Hummingbird Activity to Increase Soon

In the next couple of weeks we should all begin to see more hummingbird activity at our feeders.  I’ve seen considerably more just in the past few days.  Hummingbird feeders will be significantly more important to our Ruby-throated hummingbirds in the coming weeks and months as they conclude nesting and begin feeding heavily in preparation for fall migration.  Most of us do not see a lot of hummingbird activity until mid-July as females are fully involved with nesting responsibilities and the males are guarding their territory and food sources.  Hummer feeders are just not that important to them during this time as nectar from flowers and the insects they consume are readily available.  People often mistakenly think hummingbirds NEED our feeders.  They don’t, but will take advantage of them when the time is right and the feeder and nectar are in good condition.  Making sure your feeders are clean and nectar is fresh is always important but especially now when temperatures are high and as birds begin to use them more. 

  Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTH), like many migrant birds, go through hyperphagia prior to migration, meaning they eat almost continuously. They ramp up their consumption of nectar from plants and sugar water from feeders while consuming large quantities of tiny insects that are full of fats and proteins. The sugar is used up almost instantly during daily activities but the protein from insects helps strengthen their flight muscles. All the energy-rich yellow fat accumulates in little storage pockets which are visible when the feathers are gently pushed aside, like when a licensed bander has one in hand.

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Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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Hummingbird fat pockets

An adult male RTH will weigh approximately 3 grams during summer but put on as much as 2.5 grams of weight by the time it is ready to head south.  They will nearly double their weight during hyperphagia.

So, if you haven’t been paying attention to your feeders because of lack of activity make sure your feeders are clean and you have fresh nectar. August and September are THE busiest hummingbird feeding months here in Middle TN so be prepared. 

The proper nectar formula is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.  Do not use brown, or raw sugar, and never use honey.  Regular white table sugar is best.  If you are making a small amount, like a cup, boiling the water is unnecessary.  Thoroughly stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved and the water is clear.  To make larger quantities it makes sense to heat the water enough to completely dissolve the sugar.

Early Spring Hummingbirds

Every year at this time we regularly answer the question “when will the hummingbirds arrive?” and “when should I put out a feeder?”   The first reported sightings of Ruby-throated hummingbirds (RTH) in middle TN are just a few weeks away.  There are usually a few local sightings by the last week of March while the vast majority of RTH’s begin arriving or passing through between early April and mid-May.  Male hummingbirds tend to arrive ahead of females.   At my home in Cheatam Co. nearly 30 years of taking note of my first RTH sighting is between April 4th and 10th, and always an adult male. 

Some of these early arrivals may rest and feed for a day or two before continuing on their journey to their final destination, which may be as far as Canada.  Those that stay in mid-TN will then begin establishing territory, courting and nesting.  Their interest in feeders is minimal at this time.  Why?  Unless a hard freeze kills blooms and no flowers are available nature provides hummingbirds with everything they could possibly need, which is nectar from plants, and insects for protein.  The first hummingbirds to arrive at my home in Cheatham County usually spend more time at the Columbine blooms than at the feeder.  Early blooming perennials and native plants are a very important nectar source for hummingbirds.  People living in rural areas tend to see hummingbirds earlier and more often than people in more urban areas.  Why? The simple answer is rural areas provide better and more nesting habitat for hummingbirds.

Activiy from the peak part of the season in August.

Temper your expectations.  Do not expect to see a lot of activity early on.  We suggest putting out 1 or 2 feeders with small amounts of nectar the 1st week of April.  There is no need to put out a lot of feeders nor should you fill feeders to capacity.  There just isn’t that much feeding activity early on.  With the cool nights your nectar can last a little longer than in summer but do pay attention to the quality.  You should still change the nectar once or twice a week depending on temperatures.  Keep it fresh and the feeder clean.  This is very important to the health of the hummingbirds.   You must remember Ruby-throated hummingbirds do not need sugar water but only take advantage of it.  If the nectar is not in good condition they will find other sources.   

Hummers will come to feeders more frequently when they are ready and that typically occurs near the end of their breeding season.  Usually, late June to mid-July is when we see an increase in activity at feeders.  Most of the offspring from possibly 2 broods has fledged by then and as August arrives feeding activity will be at its busiest as adults and youngsters visit feeders and pack on weight and energy rich fat in preparation for the migration back.

It is certainly possible you may see a bird or two take advantage of the feeder before moving on to its final destination.   It is not true that if you don’t put out a feeder now you will miss them later in the summer.  Some people wait till July to put a feeder up, and have success.

The Best Solution for Hummingbird Nectar

The best nectar you can offer hummingbirds is a simple 1 part sugar to 4 parts water solution.  It is not necessary for the water to be brought to a boil before adding sugar unless you are making larger quantities for storage in the fridge.  The nectar is ready after the sugar has been stirred in and fully dissolved.  Do not add color in the form of food dye. Color is absolutely unnecessary and potentially harmful.  Also, DO NOT use natural raw sugar or honey.  Regular white table sugar is best.

Next week …The Grosbeaks are coming!

And Lights Out Nashville!

Early Summer Hummingbirds

A day doesn’t go by at The Wood Thrush Shop that we are not asked “what’s wrong with the hummingbirds?” “I don’t see any coming to my feeders.” “Are they here”? 

All of our summer resident Ruby-throated hummingbirds are here and well into their first or even second nesting of the season by now.  Like Bluebirds they all don’t start nesting at the same time.  There could be as much as a month difference in the first nesting phase of the earlier arrivals in March and April and the later arrivals in late April to mid-May.

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The nesting phase is the reason people generally see far less of hummingbirds now as opposed to mid-July through September when they are seen so readily at feeders.  One must remember hummingbirds do not come all the way from Central and South America for sugar water.  It’s of little need to them during the first half of their summer residency. They are very satisfied with nectar from flowering plants, and insects for protein. Hummingbird feeders are not in high demand at this time and will serve only for quick visits and a brief drink.  When nesting is near conclusion in mid to late July and early August that is when hummers begin visiting feeders with frequency and intensity to fatten up in preparation for the long migration back to Central and South America. 

With that in mind keep fresh nectar in the feeder but do not fill to capacity.  Small amounts are recommended now to decrease waste and major cleaning of feeders.   In warmer weather with temperatures near 90, nectar is only good for 2-3 days at a time.  If your feeder is getting full sun you may want to adjust to a shadier situation or be prepared to change the nectar even more frequently.

Remember to only use plain white table sugar to make nectar, no brown or raw natural sugar, no honey, and no color.  A 1 part sugar to 4 parts water ratio is the perfect solution.  Making it sweeter is no more appealing or beneficial to the birds. 

Be patient, hummingbirds will begin visiting feeders when they are ready.  We should see an uptick in activity around mid-July.

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We will be closed Monday, June 19th.

We will see you on June 20th!

Fall Slowdown and Fall Hummers

Fall Slowdown

Many of you have already noticed a slow down at your feeders. Sometimes it can be abrupt and dramatic. You may even notice some species become practically non-existent. Bird feeders in September and October are typically very quiet. This is surprising to some but actually normal and understandable. With the conclusion of the breeding season birds are now in less need of the quick, easy food source at your feeders. While raising their young during the months of March through July birds expend tremendous amounts of energy raising young and will take great advantage of backyard feeders. We sell more seed and suet during those months than we do in winter.

Young birds are mostly independent now and the lives of adult birds are at a much more leisurely pace. In addition nature is producing an abundance of food at this time. Not only are insects still plentiful but every tree, shrub, weed, and wildflower are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. There is literally food for birds everywhere. It is a great example of the fact that birds do not rely on our feeders but simply take advantage of them in times of more demand for food. So, don’t worry that you are not seeing many birds around the feeders right now. It is totally normal. About the time we get the first frost or two, you will begin to see a return of your favorite birds to feeders. I don’t know about you but a good frost sounds good right about now.

By the time October arrives you will begin to see a few of our winter visitors, like Junco’s, White-throated sparrows, Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Kinglets, and hopefully, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Although, with the Pine siskin issues (salmonella) we had last winter I would prefer they not visit us this winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue to be present through October though their numbers will be fewer with each week that passes. The peak of hummer feeding activity has likely passed so I reduce the numbers of feeders I offer by a few. As mid-October arrives I will continue to offer at least two feeders. And because there is always a remote possibility of a western hummingbird showing up I will leave one feeder out beyond Thanksgiving.

Rare Mexican Violetear

Each year a few people around the mid-state are pleasantly surprised to discover a hummingbird investigating a feeder that may have been inadvertently left out with no nectar. Two customers within 3 miles of The Wood Thrush Shop experienced Rufous hummingbirds last fall. Western hummingbirds that have regularly been seen in TN include Rufous, Anna’s, and Black-chinned. Last year a Mexican Violetear was trapped and banded in Montgomery Co. For more information about wintering hummingbirds you may want to visit southeastavianresearch.org

Hummingbirds, The Fun is About to Start!

Here we are at the beginning of August and the time has come for Ruby-throated hummingbirds to ramp up their interest in feeders and the action will be fast and furious now through the end of September until as late as mid-October. Hummingbird nesting is likely near conclusion. If you have been discouraged by the lack of hummingbird activity thus far this summer now is the time to make fresh nectar, clean up the feeder and try again.

For many of you the spring and early summer months produce little if any activity at your feeders. Why? Let’s not forget Ruby-throated hummingbirds DO NOT make the long journey here from Central and South America for the sugar water in feeders. They DO NOT NEED the feeders but will take full advantage of them when they are through nesting and fattening up for migration becomes their primary goal. Hummingbirds have been migrating here for thousands of years to breed and to take advantage of the abundance of insects, which is their primary food source. They would be here even if hummingbird feeders did not exist.

It is thought by many the reason for this sudden surge is they have just "come back" from where they've been. Actually, it is because summer resident hummingbirds have concluded raising one, two, or even three broods of offspring and are ready to begin taking advantage of nectar in feeders.

Ruby-throated hummers usually raise two chicks at a time so when the nesting phase concludes you may be seeing at least 6 young hummers coming to feeders. The youngsters, male and female, look very much like adult females. Then as hummingbirds from more northern locations begin funneling through TN in late August and into September the fun really begins. Wave after wave of hummingbirds begin passing through TN on their way to the Gulf of Mexico where they will eventually find their path across. Hummingbird migration is triggered by the days now getting shorter, not necessarily temperature or weather.

The best nectar you can offer hummingbirds is a simple 1 part sugar to 4 parts water solution. It is not necessary for the water to be brought to a boil before adding sugar. The nectar is ready after the sugar has been stirred in and fully dissolved. Do not add color. Color is absolutely unnecessary and potentially harmful. Also it is bad to use natural raw sugar, the kind that is slightly brown in color. Regular white table sugar is best. When making larger batches for refrigeration boiling the water is recommended.

As October approaches and numbers of hummingbirds have decreased significantly it is good to keep at least one feeder out to provide late migraters a “fueling” station. It is not true that leaving a feeder out will cause hummingbirds to stay and ultimately not migrate.