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

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Every year at this time we regularly answer the question “when will the hummingbirds arrive”?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds do begin migrating into and through TN as early as the latter part of March, with the bulk of them arriving or passing through between mid-April and mid-May. We expect any day now to see on TNbird, or hear from a customer, the first reported sighting of a Ruby-throated hummingbird. Male hummingbirds tend to be the first to arrive.

Some of these early arrivals may feed for a few days 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 the task of 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. In fact, the first arrival at my home in Cheatam County usually spends more time at the Columbine blooms than at the feeder. Early blooming perennials and native plants are a very important nectar source for hummingbirds.

Remember, Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been making the journey to North America from central and South America to breed for roughly ten thousand years. They would come here whether we had feeders full of sugar water or not. They will come to feeders when they are ready and that typically occurs near the end of their breeding season, usually starting around late June to mid-July. 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.

So, if you are wondering when to put up a hummingbird feeder you may do so now. However, you should temper your expectations. Do not expect to see a lot of activity. It is certainly possible you may see a bird or two take advantage of the feeder before moving on to its final destination. And it is not true that if you don’t put out a feeder now you will miss them later in the summer.

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, it is not good to use natural raw sugar, the kind that is slightly brown in color. Regular white table sugar is recommended.

The Hummingbird Wave is Coming

Soon hummingbirds will ramp up their interest in feeders and the action will be fast and furious.  August through mid-September is peak time for us to see hummingbirds at feeders.  Based on frequently asked questions at the store there's a lot of confusion surrounding Ruby-throated hummingbirds and the first few months they are here.  It is true Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin migrating through and into TN as early as mid-March.  This year the first reported sighting by a customer was March 30.  My first sighting was April 6th.  By the way, I've recorded first of spring (FOS) hummingbird sightings for over 20 years and it's always between April 3 and April 12.  And the first has always been an adult male. 

Occasionally we here a customer say "I have all kinds of different hummingbirds" when in fact they really only have one kind, the Ruby-throated hummingbird.  Only the adult male has the bright red throat while both sexes have an iridescent green back.  Adult females and juvenile's look very much alike but will vary somewhat in plumage.    

Although all Tennessee summer resident hummingbirds are here by mid-May, most people will see very little of them, and activity at feeders will be infrequent and minimal until at least early to mid-July when there is a sudden surge.

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 that the summer resident hummingbirds have concluded raising one or even two broods of offspring and are ready to begin taking advantage of the free nectar in the feeders you've provided. Also, the added activity is indicative of recently fledged hummingbirds beginning to understand and visit feeders.  Then as we move into August hummingbirds that have been north of us, as far as Canada, will begin their migration south and stop at feeders along the way.  

It must be remembered hummingbirds don't travel all the way from central and south America because there are hummingbird feeders here.  They DO NOT NEED the feeders but will take advantage of them when they are ready.  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 come here even if hummingbird feeders did not exist.

Since hummingbirds feed on small insects there is an alternative to offering only nectar. Try placing some fruit in a mesh sack or container with holes, and hang it near your hummingbird feeder.  The fruit will draw fruit flies which the hummingbirds will readily devour.  It is quite interesting to see a hummingbird dart its specialized tongue out to snag the flies. Last year we introduced a new feeder called the Humm-Bug that is designed to hold fruit and draw fruit flies.  

Aspects high view Hummingbird feeders are some of our favorite feeders. They are easy to clean, fill, and come with a built in ant moat. The high view refers to the new perch design which is raised up compared to older models. This helps keep the feeder from obscuring the bird while perching.

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Hummzinger high view excel holds 16oz and has 6 ports.

Hummzinger high view feeders come in three different sizes. 8oz, 12oz, and 16oz.

Humzinger high view mini holds 8oz and has three ports.

Humzinger high view holds 12oz and has four ports.

Hummingbird Nectar

A question frequently asked at The Wood Thrush Shop is “what nectar is best for hummingbirds”? 

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. When hummingbird feeding activity is slow, like it tends to be in early spring to mid-summer, make small amounts and avoid refrigerating large quantities.  Think in terms of making fresh nectar each week in small amounts until feeding activity becomes vigorous, like it does in the latter summer months.  This is when it makes sense to make larger batches and refrigerate extra nectar.  Remember, nectar in the feeder is only good for about 3 days in summer heat.  Fill your feeder according to the activity level and you will waste less nectar and reduce your maintenance on the feeder.  The peak time for hummingbird feeding activity typically starts mid-July and lasts through September, and even into October.

So, if you’ve been disappointed and concerned because you haven’t seen much of hummingbirds now is the time to make sure your feeders are clean and the nectar is fresh.  It’s going to get very busy!

Hummingbird Myths

Hummingbirds have "scouts".  Not really sure how this got started but likely because people would see an early arrival and then other hummers would eventually follow.  There is no way an adult male Ruby-throated hummingbird would actively help or encourage others to share "his" territory.  Everyone sees how territorial they are as they fight for the rights to a feeder.  It is believed an adult male can and will defend a territory of up to an acre.

Hummingbirds and Geese.  I haven't heard this one in a long time so hopefully it has gone away for good.  It was believed by some that hummingbirds would ride on the backs of larger birds, specifically geese, during migration.  This does not occur. 

Feeders must be taken down in the fall.  We still hear this one quite often.  People believe that hummingbirds will not migrate in the fall if feeders are left out.  Not so.  It is in their DNA to migrate.  Again, hummingbirds do not NEED sugar water, so why would an artificial food source keep them here?  If we had to take away all food sources to make them migrate we would also have to eliminate all of the various insects they feed on.  

 

 

Peak Time For Hummingbirds

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Ruby Throated Hummingbird

August and September is the busiest time for hummingbirds at feeders.  By now our summer population of hummingbirds has concluded the nesting phase which explains why in the past couple of weeks you have seen a surge in interest at your feeders.  It will only get busier in the next four to five weeks.

Already, hummingbirds that have summered north of here are beginning their long journey back to central and South America to soon bring them through Tennessee.  So, not only are our hummingbirds that nested here coming to the feeders but all the migrating hummers will be sweeping through and joining the feeding frenzy.  This is the time when hummingbirds will be feeding heavily packing on as much fat as possible to sustain them during there long journey.

Food availability is thought to be the prime determinant of migratory routes.  Hummingbirds will travel where food is most dependable.  Many who study hummingbirds believe knowledge of food-rich migratory routes may actually be built into the genetic codes of these amazing little birds.  This explains why people in rural areas tend to see a lot more hummingbirds than those in more populated urban areas.  Hummers will feed heavily on late summer blooming plants like jewelweed, bee balm, and cardinal flower.  Cardinal flower and a purple variety of Salvia seem to be the preferred flowers at my house. These native plants not only provide nectar but attract insects that are critical to a hummers diet.

Since tiny insects are a major part of a hummers diet you may be interested in trying something I’ve had success with.  In the vicinity of your hummingbird feeders hang a mesh bag, or perforated container with a piece of fruit inside.  As the fruit over-ripens the fruit flies will converge.  Hummingbirds will find this “meat” feeder very interesting.  You will, too, as you see hummers hover and snatch insects.

If you have put away your hummingbird feeders because you thought you missed them this summer now is the time to get them back out and get some fresh nectar made.  The very best and busiest is yet to come.  In just one week I have seen consumption at my feeders go from 16 ounces per day to 32 oz.  Based on past years by mid-September I will likely see as much as a gallon of nectar consumed per day at my eight feeders.

Below is a video from a couple years back in September. We're compiling some new footage from this year so check back for a new video on down the line.