Hummingbirds – the supercharged tiny flyers of the bird world – are preparing to head south to warmer climates as summer wanes. That means now is a good time to put a feeder outside your home for some cheap outdoor entertainment while helping the little guys get energized before migrating.

With wings beating from 70 to 200 times per second – depending on whether they are flying, diving or hovering in mid-air -  all that turbo action needs to be fueled with a diet of sugar-rich nectar and the occasional insect, which is essential for protein. They also need a balanced diet for the occasional brawl since they are jealous defenders of what they believe to be their “territory.”

I learned this within days of putting a feeder outside my home with the hope of attracting the hummingbirds I had seen drinking from the morning glory blossoms trailing over my neighbor’s fence. It didn’t take more than a couple of days for several hummingbirds to stake out the space and start dive-bombing each other as they sought to seize control of the feeder for their own. No harm is ever done and it’s been lots of fun to watch the high-speed chases and listen as they chirp their warnings at each other.

Feeders come in basic designs that feature a reservoir to hold the sugar water and one or more ports from which the hummingbirds can access the sweet meal, typically from your backyard. The National Audubon Society has some important guidelines to follow when setting up your feeder at home that will ensure the hummingbirds visiting your free home buffet stay healthy and well fed, whether or not they are migrating south. Steps include:

  • Hang the feeder in the shade to help prevent the sugar water from spoiling.
  • Change the sugar water at least twice a week in warm weather. Don’t let the contents get cloudy.
  • A hummingbird nectar solution can be purchased, but it’s simple and cheap to make (see recipe below). Never use honey or artificial sweeteners, which can both be harmful to the birds.
  • Clean your hummingbird feeder once a week using one part white vinegar and four parts water. Rinse with warm water three times before refilling.
  • If you can, hang several smaller feeders in different locations where hummingbirds can’t see each other. This will help prevent one bird from taking over the space and running off the others.

There are about 340 species of hummingbirds that live in a range from the tip of South America to southern Alaska. There are 17 species that regularly nest in the United States, according to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. I often see hummingbirds at the feeder on my patio in the morning as I’m having coffee and in the evening when I’m starting dinner, their brilliant emerald-, sapphire- and ruby-colored feathers flashing in the sunlight.

Watching the birds as they flit about is easy, and feeding them from your home is even simpler. Their diet is 90 percent nectar, which they get from a wide variety of flowers. According to the National Audubon Society, hummingbirds need to double their body mass in the fall to prepare for migrating south. You can help supplement their diet with a feeder. There’s been some concerns raised over whether the red dye placed in some hummingbird solutions is a good thing. For those of you who prefer to home-cook for your hummingbirds, here is a recipe from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center:

  • Mix one part sugar with four parts water.
  • Bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold.
  • Cool thoroughly, then fill feeder.
  • Store extra nectar in the refrigerator.
  • Do not add red dye.

By Christine Huard, Guest HomeSpace blogger

Photo credit: MeegsC via Creative Commons 3.0 license

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