Hummingbirds racing south through Darlington County
Hummingbirds
Photos by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Sitting on the front porch as the sun sets on a warm late summer afternoon, many Darlington County residents are being treated to miniature air shows as migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds swoop around searching for food. When the iridescent little birds aren’t occupied at feeders, they’re engaging in intricate flying maneuvers and, sometimes, aerial combat punctuated by staccato bursts of angry (and unbearably cute) chittering and chirping designed to drive away competition. It’s a unique entertainment and the cost of admission is low: just hang a hummingbird feeder loaded with nectar and – chances are – the zippy little critters will show up within a day or so.
There’s no time to waste, since the hummingbird migration normally peaks as weather transitions from summer heat to cooler fall temps. September and October are prime viewing times as hummingbirds travel down the east coast headed toward their winter homes in Mexico and Central America. To reach these wintering grounds, the birds must fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico – an 18 to 24 hour flight that takes a tremendous amount of energy. A hummingbird’s wings beat about 75 times per minute in average flight, 200 times per minute when courting, and their heartbeat can race as high as 250 beats per minute, giving them the fastest metabolism of any animal on earth.
Hummingbirds
Photos by Samantha Lyles
Before they light out across the water, hummingbirds must put on enough fat energy stores to double their body weight. Male ruby-throats weigh from 2.4 – 3.6 g and females weigh from 2.8 – 4.5 g, so the average hummer (pre-gorging) weighs only about as much as a penny.
Hummingbirds add weight by eating flower nectar, tree sap, small insects, and sugar water from feeders. When migrating, the birds can eat three times their body weight in a single day.
Feeders are available at most garden centers and come in a variety of designs, though red containers are preferable because red draws a hummingbird’s attention. Using a red feeder also allows you to use clear pre-mixed nectar or sugar water without the need to add potentially harmful red dye. If you wish to add another food source, hang a few mesh bags filled with melon and banana pieces to draw fruit flies so the hummers can diversify their diet.
Hummingbirds
Photos by Samantha Lyles
Nectar and sugar water can draw insects and go sour in hot weather, so clean feeders and replace nectar solutions regularly; once a week is usually sufficient. Hanging a feeder in a high spot with shielding above (like at the edge of a porch) can help protect hummingbirds from ground and air predators like cats and raptors. The birds can access feeders in semi-covered areas pretty easily, since hummers can hover in mid-air, fly upside-down, and even fly backwards with amazing agility.
Hummingbirds may arrive at your feeders in groups, but they tend to migrate solo. It’s not unusual for the males to cheep angrily and bump into each other when they arrive at a feeding site, but don’t worry; even though an average male is just over three inches from tail to beak, hummingbirds are hardier than they look and can take a bit of roughhousing. Though many hummers don’t survive their first year, their life expectancy goes way up once they complete a migration cycle, with a male ruby-throat potentially living over six years.
As fall closes in and days grow shorter, October sighting numbers will steadily decline. But it’s possible that a few stragglers may be flying in, so keep your feeders up for a few weeks after traffic dies down, just in case a tardy bird drops by. Hummers are smart and discerning, so if you keep feeders clean and full, they may remember your place like a favorite and reliable restaurant and be more likely to visit again next year.
Tips to help you pit crew for hummingbirds:
If using a sugar water solution, mix 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Most pre-mixed nectar is ready to use, but some require a three-to-one water dilution. Be sure to read the label and mix accordingly.
• Never use food coloring; instead, purchase a red-colored feeder to attract the birds.
• Clean feeders often to stave off souring and fermentation.
• To provide hummingbirds with extra calories, hang mesh bags of melon and banana to draw fruit flies.