Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Hummingbird. Just the name brings smiles to our faces. Every year we sit on the patio and watch as several males establish their territories in our backyard birding areas. There always seems to be one who thinks all the feeders are for him and him alone. After a while, I swear it seems like a battle plan. One hummingbird feeds while another draws the bully away - over and over again.
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird in the US and normally the only hummingbird east of the Mississippi river. This tiny bird is also an amazing migratory bird. Each fall, hummingbirds leave the US and as far north as Canada to begin an arduous journey to Central America for the winter. Yes, these cute fragile looking birds fly non-stop hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico each and every year.
If you live along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, help these fancy flyers out by supplying nectar. These Hummingbirds begin arriving as early as the end of February along the coast and could use some easily accessible food supplies to replenish themselves after crossing the gulf. By the end of March they will show up as far north as Kentucky, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. April finds these travelers along the Canadian border. By the end of May the Ruby will have established their summer nesting areas from Florida to mid Canada and as far west as the Dakotas.
To attract Hummingbirds to your backyard, begin by setting out a few feeders filled with nectar. The hungry birds will search them out and if you have sufficient shrubbery for nesting - they may just stay the entire summer. If you supply nectar every year, these
nesting families will come back year after year. You will have established your own hummingbird summer home. To aid in nesting, we have proven nesting material and several great hummingbird feeders, including a combination kit with everything you need top get started.
So get ready, clean your feeders, ready the nectar, and enjoy these amazing birds.
Try this for an an easy nectar recipe that works great for us:
Use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water or 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water
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Bring water to a rapid boil
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Add sugar and dissolve
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Cool and add to hummingbird feeders
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Seal and refrigerate unused nectar
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Keep the nectar fresh, change every 3 to 4 days to prevent spoiling and attract the most hummers
