Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
are a delightful site to see
returning to the garden-scape each year.

Hummingbirds return to Western, NY around the first week of May but have been seen as early as mid-April. They can travel great distances to reach their summer nesting spots.

In the spring the males arrive first to map out their 1/4 acre territory. They will defend it vigorously against other males insuring the females and their young have plenty of food. You can often find them getting very aggressive around the feeders, often diving very quickly to keep others away. You can see them flying in a U shaped pattern often up to 40' high and then diving again, they can put on quite a show defending the feeder.

The male hummingbird is easily spotted by it's iridescent red throat which shimmers in the light as it moves it's head. They usually average 3 3/4" long and have a 4 year old lifespan. I actually have had one particular pair return for three years in a row. I easily recognize them by their friendly behavior when they come to the feeder, as well as certain markings.

These tiny birds require a constant source of food as they expend a lot of energy flying. They love sugar water and the nectar from flowering shrubs, trees and flowers. They can consume a lot of little insects in a day which may include ants, gnats, aphids mosquitoes and small beetles. This can be very beneficial for us gardeners for insect control.

Sugar Water Recipe

• 1 cup Sugar
• 4 cup Water
  Boil 3 minutes until dissolved, then allow to cool before filling feeders. Clean feeders every 4 days to keep mold from growing. You want to make sure you don't get your little friends sick.
  
  
  (Image Source:wolaver.org)
  
  Hummingbirds choose to nest on horizontal branches about 5' - 20' off the ground. They create their tiny walnut-sized nests by collecting downy material from plants, lichen from trees and rotting wood, moss and ferns too. They hold it all together by gathering nearby spider webs. The female will incubate her two eggs for about three weeks and feed them another three until they are ready to fly.
  
  

Favorite Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds

• Asciepias (Butterfly Weed)

• Agastache Hyssop

• Aquilegia (Columbine)

• Buddleia (butterfly bush)

• Cardinal Vine

• Chilean Glory Flower Vine

• Crocosmia

• Delphinium

• Foxglove

• Fuchsia

• Heuchera ( Coral Bells)

• Hollyhocks

• Honeysuckle Vine

• Hosta

• Impatiens

• Lantana

• Lupine

• Monarda (Bee Balm)

• Morning Glory

• Nicotania

• Penstemon

• Phlox

• Salvia

• Scarlet Runner Vine

• Snapdragons

• Trumpet Vine (can be invasive)

• Weigela

• Wisteria
  

  The hummingbirds will love coming to a garden full of colorful flowers ripe with nectar. It is important, if you have the space, to plant the flowers and shrubs throughout your yard in various locations. The birds are very territorial and having a variety of areas will keep different pairs in your gardens.
  
  
  
  Another aspect of the garden is supplying a water source for your flying friends. A bird bath works wonderful if it has a fountain or mister in it, just be sure you clean it regularly and refill with fresh water.
  
  Selecting a variety of plants that will bloom at different times is also essential for these aggressive feeders. They will need a good supply of nectar until they migrate in early fall. The adults head South before the young do, as they still need the extra few weeks to beef up their bodies for the long journey.
  
  
  
  Thank you for stopping by my post, I hope you enjoyed my tiny feathered friends.
  Until next time, this is Sunscape...
  

  Sun. Scape. Ing your day

  

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