Heavenly hummingbirds here!
By Contributor
Springtime has arrived in the Kootenays, and the warm weather has brought with it some welcome return visitors – the hummingbirds. If you are interested in feeding and attracting hummingbirds to your yard, the following information compiled by the local Hummingbird Monitoring Network will help you achieve that goal.
Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar (or sugar-water) for energy and hydration and small insects for protein. The recommended recipe for sugar-water is: mix four parts boiled water to one part white granulated sugar, stir until the sugar is dissolved, then cool and fill feeders.
Do not use honey, or any other sugars or artificial sweeteners or use commercial feeder mixes, which may contain red dye. Extra sugar-water may be stored in the refrigerator for one week.
Feeders come in many shapes and sizes; however glass feeders with the detachable feeding flowers are easiest to take apart and clean. As hummingbirds are attracted by bright colours, the feeder port areas should be red.
Change the solution before it gets cloudy, every couple of days, if it is hot. Clean the feeder each time before refilling. Inspect for any sign of black mould. Use hot water and a bottle brush and pipe cleaners to get into the feeding tubes. Use a solution of hot water and vinegar if any mould is present. A mouldy feeder could make the birds sick.
Hang your feeders up in late April and take them down in the fall – usually two weeks after you’ve seen the last hummingbird. Make sure you place your feeders near shrubs, small trees or flower beds to provide the birds with places to perch and hide from predators. Also make sure that the feeders are not accessible to bears. You could hang the feeder from a hook accessible by a second story window or hang it from a clothesline that is high above the ground.
Planting tubular-shaped red, orange or pink flowers or hanging surveyor’s ribbons or bright silk flowers will help attract hummingbirds to your yard. For a list of preferred plants visit the Hummer/Bird Study Group website www.hummingbirdsplus.org. By following these guidelines, both you and the hummingbirds will have a healthy summer!
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