A Helpful Guide to Hummingbird Food
One of the most fascinating winged creatures is the hummingbird; such a little, energetic creature must certainly need to consume a great deal of hummingbird food! In truth, they must feed every 10 minutes throughout the day in order to take in enough food to provide the energy they need. This is good news for individuals who enjoy the birds, and wish to attract them to their yards using feeders and gardens.
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, a bird species that live only in the Western hemisphere of the world. The largest percentage of these tiny birds lives in a ten degree radius north and south of the equator. Only an estimated 16 species actually breed in the continental United States, although a few other species have been spotted in the US without breeding here.
For the hummingbird to have enough flying energy to last the day, they must consume food in amounts up to 3 times their body weight. The basic diet of a hummingbird is sugar based. The sugar is obtained by sipping nectar from funnel shaped flowers and sap that oozes from tree trunks. In addition to sugar, hummingbirds must also have protein in their diets, which serves to strengthen their muscle structure. The protein is obtained by eating insects. They are able to capture and eat insects while flying by utilizing the grooves that are found on each side of their tongue. They also locate insects on leaves and that become ensnared in spider webs.
Because hummingbirds are such fascinating and beautiful creatures, many people try to attract them to their yards. There are some guidelines to follow when setting up a hummingbird attraction in your yard that will be beneficial and healthy to the birds while remaining ecologically safe.
Hummingbird feeders
Hanging hummingbird feeders in their yards is the main tool that many use to attract hummingbirds to a yard. Numerous styles and varieties of feeders are available in stores for purchase, and there is no one feeder that has proven to be more successful than others for attracting the tiny birds. Certain characteristics do tend to be more desirable for the birds, however:
●Red in color
●Perches built on to the side
●Moats that prevent ants
●Design that discourages bees
Feeders generally are glass with flower shaped receptacles along the bottom. Hummingbirds can access the nectar by inserting their long, thin bills into the funnels. They have long, transparent tongues which are used to dart in and out of the flowers, pulling the nectar into the bird’s beak.
Nectar for the feeders should simulate as much as possible the natural nectar in hummingbird food plants. There are commercial preparations that are mixed with water that work quite well; however, they often include a food coloring to tint the nectar a red color. Not only is this not necessary, but it is also probably not a healthy choice for the hummingbirds. Nectar can easily be made at home using plain white sugar and water, at a combination of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. The mixture should be boiled to discourage any bacteria that may exist in the water, cooled completely and then placed in the feeder in small amounts. The remaining nectar can be tightly contained and refrigerated. Plan to change the nectar every 5 to 7 days, except in the height of summer when days turn extremely warm when it should be changed every 3 days. After the first time, fill the feeder according to the usage it receives to avoid wasting the nectar.
Hummingbird Gardens
Nature provides all of the nutrients and food that hummingbirds need. By replicating what nature has provided, you can attract hummingbirds to your yard while also adding great beauty to your landscape. Numerous flowers are designed to meet the hummingbird’s specific needs, with tubular funnels as their bloom. There are multiple annuals and perennials that are good for use as hummingbird food plants. While some flowers are specific to certain areas, depending upon the climate and region, some of the best flowers to consider are:
Butterfly Bush
Azalea
Tree Tobacco
Cardinal Flower
Dragonflower
Cape Honeysuckle
Turk’S Cap
Columbine
Monarda
Flowering Quince
Weigela
Coral Bells
Aster
Lantana
Morning Glory
Lupine
Penstemon
Manzanita
Trumpet Creeper
Hosta
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