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eA Hummingbirdse-book downloadable pdf

P.O. Box 110 • 149 Acme St. Marietta, OH 45750 CHARLES MELTON

No portion of this document may be used without written permission. Contact [email protected] or call (800) 879-2473 for more information. ©2008 Bird Watcher’s Digest. The Bird Watcher’s Digest logo, Bird Watcher’s Digest icons, and proprietary content contained within this pdf document are all copyright Bird Watcher’s Digest, Pardson, Inc. All rights reserved.

E-BOOK BWD SERIES BWD SERIES E -BOOK BWD eBOOK SERIES Hummingbirds eA

CONTENTS 1

Chapter 1: What is a Hummingbird? 2 From the Beginning 2 Hummer Living Habits 3 Mating and Raising Young 3 Going South for the Winter 4 Range Maps 5

Chapter 2: Frequently Asked Questions 8

Chapter 3: Top 10 Things You Can Do to Attract Hummingbirds 11

Chapter 4: Gardening for Hummingbirds 13 Continental East 13 Midwest/Great Plains 18 Humid South 18 California/Pacifi c Coast 19 Pacifi c Coast/Northwest 19 Mountain West 20 Canadian North 20 Desert Southwest 21

Chapter 5: Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders 22 More Tips for Hummingbird Lovers 23

Copyright ©2008 HUMMINGBIRDS was produced by the staff of Bird Watcher’s Digest: Bill Thompson, III, Editor-in-Chief, Booklet Design; Claire Mullen, Production Director; Jim Cirigliano, Managing Editor; Ed Kanze, Contributing Writer, Barbara Richardson, Contributing Writer, Miles Blumhardt, Contributing Writer, Warren Balygooyen, Contributing Writer, Lynn Hassler, Contribut- ing Writer, and Rita Randazzo, Contributing Writer.

Bird Watcher’s Digest is published by Pardson Corporation, P.O. Box 110, Marietta, Ohio 45750. To download additional copies of HUMMINGBIRDS, or other books in our e-book series, visit birdwatchersdigest.com. For BWD subscription information, call us toll-free, at 1-800-879-2473.

JULIE ZICKEFOOSE ISBN # 1-880241-28-5

birdwatchersdigest.com 1

What is a

C H A P T E R 1 Hummingbird? Jewels of the bird world.

A dictionary will say that a hummingbird is “any of Andes Mountains of South America, where their an- numerous tiny, brightly colored nonpasserine birds re- cestors were insect-eating, swift-like birds. One or more Alated to the swifts and, like them, having narrow wings hummingbird species can be found in nearly every with long primaries, a long bill, and a very extensile habitat in the New World, except for the polar regions tongue.” Somehow these words just don’t convey all and mountains with permanent ice cover. Colombia, the attributes of a hummer. Ecuador, and Peru all boast of being home to more A hummingbird is an extraordinary bird clad in than 100 species. This number decreases as one goes glittering iridescent feathers. The hummingbird family, north or south from the equator. Costa Rica has record- Trochilidae, occurs only in the Western Hemisphere, ed about 50 species. Sixteen species are known to have where it is second only to the tyrant flycatchers in num- bred in the United States, though a couple of those ber of species. The 328 hummingbird species presently probably do not nest within U.S. borders every year. recognized are considerably more diverse in size, color Hummers are notable for their acrobatic flight patterns, and lifestyle than are the 20-plus hummer spe- capabilities, tiny size, and jewel-like appearance. cies recorded in North America north of Mexico. Flower nectar is a major part of the hummingbird’s diet. While consuming nectar, a hummingbird also From the beginning collects pollen from one flower and deposits it on the Ornithologists who study the evolution of birds reproductive parts of the next flower, thus providing

CHARLES MELTON believe that hummingbirds originated in the northern the plant with a means of reproducing. Throughout

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the Americas, many flowers are adapted for hummer pollination.

Hummer living habits Hummingbirds do not live by nectar alone. They also eat small flying insects, which they catch by darting about within a swarm or by sallying out from a perch. Insects provide protein, vitamins, and minerals that are an essential part of the hummer’s diet. Throughout the hummingbird family, breeding systems follow just a few distinct patterns. Many North American species rely on spectacular stylized display flights that trace a “J,” a “U,” or an “O” in the air. Often their flights are oriented to permit the male to catch sunlight with his splendid iridescent throat feathers, or gorget, to impress a nearby female. Other species add song to the display. Hummer songs are not usually a lilting melody, but rather a few strident, scratchy notes given from a perch. Of the widely distributed North American species, Anna’s The hummingbird moth or sphinx moth is sometimes mistaken hummingbirds are the best-known songsters, whereas for a hummingbird. the little-studied buff-bellied hummingbird has the song most pleasing to the human ear. nest is destroyed after its owner has mated, forcing the “homeless” female to dump one of her eggs into a Mating and raising young neighbor’s nest. In most hummer species, the female initiates nest Incubation begins when the second egg is laid. construction, then seeks a mate from among nearby The young hatch naked, blind, and helpless after a 12 territorial males. She gathers materials—plant down, to 15-day period during which the female leaves only grasses, bits of lichen—from the surrounding area. to eat. At first, the hatchlings are brooded frequently Spider webbing or sticky silk from cocoons latches the and fed a diet of nectar, minute insects, and spiders. structure to the chosen site and binds the other mate- Protein accounts for about nine percent of the nest- rials together. The nest must be warm and durable to lings’ food, three times the amount required by adult protect the hatchlings. hummers. No pair bond is formed beyond the act of copu- Nourished with high-protein foods and tender lation. Incubation and care of the young are done maternal care, the young birds grow rapidly and are exclusively by the female, while the male continues to ready to leave the nest in a little more than three court as many consorts as possible. weeks. At that point they are fully feathered and After mating, the female concentrates her efforts almost the same size as the adults. The female contin- on the eggs and young. Each egg is about the size ues to feed the newly fledged youngsters for a week or of a navy bean, and two eggs are a complete clutch. so, but after that they are considered competitors and Usually there is a two-day interval between the laying are chased out of the natal territory. of the first egg and the second. Occasionally nests are Young hummers of both sexes resemble the found to contain three eggs, but these are thought to female. In a few species, such as broad-billed, magnifi-

be the work of two females. This may happen if a cent, and blue-throated, characteristic male plumage TINTS PAST

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Most small birds, including ruby-throated hummingbirds, migrate at night—perhaps to take advantage of the cooler, calmer air of night, or to avoid the hawks who are hunting by day, or to use the stars for navigation. CHARLES MELTON

emerges with the first full set of feathers. For most Most North American hummers can tolerate cold other species the fledglings migrate to their wintering for periods ranging from a few hours to a couple of grounds, and remain in their plain immature feathers days as long as there is sufficient food available. They until early spring. The molt into adult plumage is ac- do not ordinarily build quantities of body fat except complished while the birds are in Mexico and Central during migration. Hummers adapt to temporary en- America, prior to northward migration in spring. ergy shortages by lowering their body temperatures and metabolic functions. In doing so, they enter a Going south for the winter state of torpor in which they appear to be dead, but Most of the hummers that nest in North America are actually in a trancelike state. Arousal from torpor migrate to tropical habitats during the nonbreeding usually requires 30 minutes or more until body tem- seasons, because regions with icy winters cannot perature returns to normal. support birds that require nectar and flying insects. Hummingbirds are amazing creatures. In many Of course, some areas of the United States are tem- respects they are just like ordinary birds, but their perate enough to provide insects and flowers all year, marvelous adaptations enable them to live in an ex- and these places may have hummingbirds through- traordinary way. The hummingbird’s beauty is much out the year. more than “feather deep.”

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Species Profiles of North American Hummingbirds

Allen’s Hummingbird Anna’s Hummingbird

• Males’ green back Calypte anna • Male has rose-red crown

Selasphorus sasin Summer separates Allen’s from and gorget, sings from Year-Round rufous Winter exposed perch • Male has a “J”-shaped • Many overwinter along Migration Year-Round display flight Pacific coast • Call: chp, chp, chp • Call: tzip CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON Berylline Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird

• Chestnut wings, rump, • Purple-black gorget may Amazilia beryllina Summer appear all-black Summer and tail Archilochus alexandri • Pumps tail while hovering Year-Round • Green head, neck, and Winter chest • Male has a “U”-shaped • Rare summer visitor from display flight Mexico • Call: tchew CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON Blue-throated Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird

• Large, aggressive hummer Summer • Male bluethroat has a • Red bill with dash tip Lampornis clemenciae Cynanthus latirostris Summer • Dark green male appears Year-Round white eyeline and white tail spots Year-Round black in poor light • Call: high seek • Call: raspy je-dit CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON

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Species Profiles of North American Hummingbirds

Broad-tailed Hummingbird Buff-bellied Hummingbird

• Bill is a pink-red with Winter black tip • Male’s wings make Winter (non-breeding) • Greenish color overall

Summer metallic trill in flight Amazilia yucatanensis Year-Round with a buff-belly and Selasphorus platycercus • Common in Rocky chestnut tail Mountains • Has a complex song • Males have a display dive including trills and CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON cascades Calliope Hummingbird Costa’s Hummingbird

Winter

• Very small hummer Calypta costae Summer • Male’s gorget and crown Stellula calliope Summer • Males can flare purplish is a deep violet Summer (rare) Summer (rare) gorget plumes • Males dive and chatter • Male has a “U”-shaped Year-Round on territory Migration display Year-Round (rare) • Call: high-pitched tik

• Call: soft tik CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON Lucifer Hummingbird Magnificent Hummingbird

• Largest North American hummingbird species • Tail is deeply notched

• Bill is downcurved Eugenes fulgens • Can appear all dark in Calothorax lucifer Breeding range • Males have green crown, Year-Round poor light purple throat, and long Summer • Main call: sharp chip tail • Female is buff colored below CHARLES MELTON CHARLES MELTON

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Species Profiles of North American Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird

• Ruby-red gorget on male • Only widespread Winter

Selasphorus rufus • Male is rusty overall with

Archilochus colubris Summer hummer in East Summer a flaming red gorget • Chattering twitter during Year-Round • Both sexes are aggressive confrontations with other Summer (rare) Winter • Call: repeating chp, chp, hummers Migration chp

CHARLES MELTON • Call: soft tchew CHARLES MELTON Violet-crowned Hummingbird White-eared Hummingbird

SUMMER (rare)

YEAR-ROUND

Summer (rare) Year-Round

Amazilia violiceps • Male’s crown is violet • Broad white stripe Year-Round • All white underparts Hylocharis leucotis extends back from eye • Long bill is mostly red • Black ear patch • Call: loud chattering • Square tail • Male’s song is a series of • Call: repeated tink, tink

CHARLES MELTON ts notes CHARLES MELTON

BWD E-BOOK SERIES: Hummingbirds birdwatchersdigest.com 7 Frequently Asked Questions C H A P T E R 2

Reliable answers about hummingbirds.

How I can estimate how many hummingbirds I feed How do I keep ants/bees out of the hummingbird each day? feeder? Q Q Hummingbird experts Nancy Newfield and Bob and Select a hummingbird feeder with bee guards. These Martha Sargent recently came up with a formula plastic devices allow the longer tongues of humming- whereby you count the number of hummingbirds you birds to reach the nectar. Bee guards prevent shorter Acan see at one time at your feeders and multiply this insectA tongues from reaching the nectar. Replace any number by six to determine how many birds are visiting dripping feeders. your feeder. They arrived at this number based on years You can also do things to discourage ants from of banding and color-marking hummingbirds at feeders. getting to your feeders. Laundry detergent applied At our feeders here in SE Ohio, we feed a half-gal- with a paintbrush will work. Paint whatever surface lon of solution a day, and we have calculated by the the ants use to gain access to the feeder (but not the above formula that we get 139 hummingbirds during feeder itself). The solution interferes with the ants’ the busy part of the summer. Thus each of our hum- chemical navigation. Refresh the application several mingbirds is consuming .46 oz of nectar per day. There times the first day. After a few days you won’t need it are 64 oz in our half gallon of daily solution, so if we anymore. divide 64 (the number of ounces consumed) by .46 (the per-hummingbird daily consumption), we get 139 hummers at your feeders. Wow! Although this is not strict science, it’s fun to do

HENRY SCOTTHENRY RIDGE the calculations!

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What is the best ratio of sugar-to-water to use for feed- Qing hummingbirds? Four parts water to one part sugar (a 4:1 ratio) has been shown to be the closest to the sucrose content of natural flower nectar. Concentrations stronger than this A(3:1 ratio and stronger) are readily consumed by hummingbirds, but no scientific evidence exists regarding the potential helpful or harmful effects on them. Adult males can be Can I use molasses or honey instead of sugar to make vigorous defenders Qmy hummer nectar? of a feeder. HENRY SCOTTHENRY RIDGE

No. White table sugar is the only human-made sweet- ener that, when mixed with the right amount of water, Many commercially available brands of hum- Aclosely resembles natural flower nectar. Resist the urge mingbird solution contain red food coloring, which is to use other sweeteners, which spoil quickly and may meant to be attractive both to hummingbirds and to not be good for hummingbirds to consume. shopping bird watchers. Brightly colored flowers are nature’s way of attracting the eye of a foraging hummingbird. So the red solution in feeders is aimed When making hummingbird solution, do I boil the at attracting hummingbirds. Bright red feeder parts water before or after I add the sugar? (which most hummer feeders have) or a bright red Q ribbon hung near the feeder can be just as attractive as red-dyed solution. Red dye or food coloring may or may not be harmful to hummingbirds, but it is If you are using chlorinated municipal water boiling completely unnecessary. helps to reduce the amount of chlorine present in the Awater. Hot water dissolves the sugar faster, but cool your solution before giving the birds access to it. If you do boil the water, do it first, before adding the sugar. QHow do I foil a “bully” hummer? Is the red dye found in premixed hummingbird solutions bad for hummingbirds? Many hummingbird species defend feeding territories, Q and assemblages at feeders usually develop hierar- chies.A The behavior exemplifies natural selection at work, and you should do nothing except enjoy it. Though no conclusive scientific evidence exists show- If you’re worried about hungry hummingbirds, ing harmful effects of red food dye on hummingbirds, put up several more feeders near your original one. thisA chemical additive is certainly not a necessary The bully will be overwhelmed by sheer numbers of ingredient in hummingbird solution. other birds and will quit being so territorial.

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Is it true that hummingbirds at my feeder will not Qmigrate if I leave my feeder up in fall? No. This is another in a long line of bird myths. Birds are genetically programmed to migrate when their internal “clocks” tell them to do so. They will depart whenA the time is right whether your feeders are up or not. Leaving your feeders up in fall and getting them up early in spring may help early or late migrants that are passing through your area. QDoes a hummingbird find flowers by smell? Hummingbirds have little or no sense of smell. Most good hummingbird plants have no fragrance, and the hummingbird plants that do have a fragrance (Japanese honeysuckle, for instance) are exotics, usu- allyA Asian or African in origin. Therefore it would be incorrect to say that hummingbirds are drawn to any flowers because of the scent. For more information, check out The Backyard Bird Watcher’s Answer Guide and Enjoying Humming- birds More from our booklet series. Why does our male hummingbird fly in a U-shaped Qpattern? Are there bird houses specially designed for humming- This is the pendulum display flight of a male to a Qbirds? perched female. He zips back and forth and flashes his colorful throat (gorget) at her, hoping to impress Hummingbirds do not live in houses like other species herA into mating with him. It is common to see this (bluebirds, house wrens, etc.). Rather, they collect spider behavior in early summer. web fibers and lichens to build cup-shaped nests on forkedA tree branches or a convenient ledge. In the West, black-chinned hummingbirds often nest in close prox- Do hummingbirds migrate on the back of Canada imity to humans. A product called Hummingbird House geese? provides an inviting construction area for this western Q hummingbird. It’s basically an artificial tree branch. No. This is either a Native American myth or just an The best way to attract hummingbirds is to offer old wives’ tale. Hummingbirds are excellent, strong- them a variety of nectar-producing plants and a few flying migrants. A healthy ruby-throated hummingbird feeders. Since hummingbirds like to eat flying insects, Acan easily handle the 500-mile flight across the Gulf you can provide a reliable food source by keeping

ILLUSTRATION BY JULIE ZICKEFOOSE ILLUSTRATION of Mexico. your yard free of pesticides.

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Top 10 Things You

C H A P T E R Can 3 Do to Attract Hummingbirds

The hummingbirds are coming soon (if they haven’t fuschia for early flowers, a fast-growing Salvia species already returned to your backyard and garden). Here for midsummer flowers, and a late-blooming trumpet are our top 10 things to do to attract (and keep) creeper that will be in flower hummingbirds in your in late summer and fall. Ask a backyard. local gardening expert for ad- vice on blooming schedules and Add a new native plant seasons for your area, soil type, and species to your garden. You just can’t climate. Continuous blooming means have too many good hummingbird plants in hummingbirds will always have a reason to be in 10your garden or yard. Take an inventory of your your yard, especially late in the season when flower existing offerings and consult a source of hum- production is down but hummingbird numbers are mingbird plant information for ideas on what up, with all the recently fledged youngsters. to add next. Good sources include plant charts in Enjoying Hummingbirds More, and Creat- Deadhead your flowers to enhance blooming. ing Your Backyard Bird Garden. Both titles are This old gardeners’ trick is a clever one. By removing part of the backyard booklet series published by BWD old blossoms (this process is known as “deadheading”) Press (P.O. Box 110, Marietta, Ohio 45750. 800-879- shortly8 after they have wilted and removing seedheads 2473. 32 pages, full color, $4.99 ppd. each. birdwatch- from blooming plants, you trick the plants into think- ersdigest.com). Also: Hummingbird Gardens, an excel- ing that their work is not yet done. The plants

lent book for gardeners written by Nancy Newfield respond by continuing to produce flowers PHOTOS.COM and Barbara Nielsen (Chapters Publishing, 144 pages, and seedheads, in the full color. $19.95 plus $4.00 shipping). Local nurseries end producing far more can also offer you tips on the best species to plant in than they would have your location. if they had not been deadheaded. Later in Plan a continuous blooming schedule. When the season, you can let you’re leafing through your garden catalogs or wan- the plants go to seed to 9dering the greenhouses of your favorite garden center ensure that you’ll have planning your hummingbird garden, choose plant them back in your gar- species that have different blooming periods. For den next year.

JULIE ZICKEFOOSE example, choose a ready-to-bloom hanging basket of

BWD E-BOOK SERIES: Hummingbirds birdwatchersdigest.com 1 1 Tie an orange ribbon around the old oak tree. cally. Place it about 50 feet from your feeder, but still Use foot-long pieces of surveyor’s tape (bright red or within view. You may find that a territorial male uses orange plastic ribbon sold in hardware stores) to catch the perch as a watch tower from which to defend a lone 7the eyes of passing hummingbirds. Tie these pieces feeder. If this happens, see #1 below. to bushes, trees, deck railings—anyplace near flowers or feeders. The bright colors will lure migrant hum- Add a mister to your yard. A mister is a small- mingbirds down from the sky for a closer look. When hosed attachment for your regular garden hose. With they get there, they’ll find your flowering gardens and the hose turned on to just a trickle, the mister, with its hummingbird feeders, which might make them decide 3pinhole openings, shoots a fine spray, or mist, into the to stay for more than just a rest stop. Special thanks to air. Hummingbirds, like all birds, will regularly bathe hummingbird guru Bob Sargent for this idea. if a ready supply of water is at hand. But a mister in action is too much to resist! Hummingbirds love to Repaint your plastic flowers; rehabilitate your old fly through the fine spray until they are thoroughly feeders. If the red parts on your hummingbird feed- soaked, at which point they zip off to a handy preen- ers are getting a bit dull, you can repaint them using ing perch. Misters are available at hardware stores, 6bright magenta nail polish. Make sure the nail pol- lawn and garden centers, specialty bird stores, and by ish is totally dry before you fill and place the feeder. mail order. When dry, the polish’s bright color is a visual signal to hungry hummers. Don’t remove those spider webs. Hummingbirds use spider web as a main ingredient in their nests. Replace old feeders. Don’t want to waste good nail Strands of spider web hold the nest together and to polish and elbow grease on rehabilitating your tired, 2the branch upon which it is built. But wait, there’s old hummingbird feeders? Don’t be a cheapskate. Go more! Hummingbirds also love to steal insects from 5buy some new feeders. This time, get durable, heavy spider webs. Insects are an important source of pro- plastic feeders. Make sure they are designed for easy tein for hummingbirds, and they’ll get them any way filling and that they come apart for easy cleaning. If they can. How convenient for hummingbirds to have you still insist on getting El Cheapo feeders, start sav- spider webs do the catching for them. ing now to buy a new batch of feeders next spring. Got bullies? Add more feeders in a clump! If you Make snag perches for hummingbirds. Bluebirds, have one male hummingbird that is dominating your kestrels, and flycatchers all like to use snags for perch- feeder to the exclusion of all others, there are two ing. Why do they perch? To rest, to preen, but most 1ways to afford your other hummingbirds a drink. One 4of all, to hunt. Hummingbirds are no different. After is to put up other feeders on opposite sides of your beating your wings at a rate of 80 beats per second, house, or out of sight of Mr. Bully. Of course, this may you’d feel like taking a break, too. All hummingbirds, simply mean that you are setting up other fiefdoms but especially males, like to perch on the end of an for other male bullies. Perhaps a better solution is to exposed branch. From this vantage point they can see add two or three more feeders in the vicinity of the danger or rivals approaching. And they can sally forth first feeder. This will attract multiple hummingbirds, into the air to grab a tasty insect, should one happen to which will quickly cure your bully of his territoriality. fly past. You can create a hummingbird snag by sticking He will not be physically able to fight off all the other

JULIE ZICKEFOOSE a dead branch into the ground so that it stands verti- hummingbirds, so he will give up trying.

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Gardening for

C H A P T E R 4 Hummingbirds

Your garden is the most natural way to attract hummingbirds.

The Continental East Gardening for hummingbirds can be as simple –Ed Kanze or as complex as you like. First, of course, you need a patch of ground within the breeding or migratory Imagine you could plant a garden so lush, green, and range of one or more hummingbird species. Where full of blooming things that angels would come down I live in upstate New York (and throughout the from on high to sip from its reservoirs of nectar. You eastern United States), the hummingbird that nests can. With the right flowers to attract them, you’ll pro- in trees and passes through town during spring and vide irresistible temptations to hummingbirds—the fall migrations is the ruby-throated. Western friends angels (and devils) of the bird world. see a variety of species, and in the Mississippi town Hummingbirds seem like angels because they where my wife and I once lived, friends report flash colors too bright to be of this world, fly forward, regular visits from two hummingbirds, the ruby- backward, and sideways with the greatest of ease, throated and the rufous. and sport glittering feathers that put Elvis Presley’s This is an exciting time to garden for humming- sequined jumpsuits to shame. They are devils because birds because the old rules about which species occur hummingbirds will do just about anything to defend where are changing rapidly—perhaps because more their feeding territories—joust, stab, intimidate, and people are paying attention to hummingbirds, and attack relentlessly. If you’re going to attract humming- feeding them, than ever before. Expect visits from birds to dine in your yard, be prepared to observe the hummingbirds that experts say are found in your

CHARLES MELTON table manners ranging from angelic to beastly. region, but always keep your eyes open for surprises.

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For example, many books on birds assert that the you want to attract hummingbirds to a newly estab- only hummingbird east of the Mississippi is the ruby- lished garden or feeding station, hang scarlet ribbons throated, yet in recent years hummingbird enthusiasts or pieces of crimson cloth in the vicinity. If they’re in the eastern states have documented cameo appear- buzzing around the neighborhood, hummingbirds will ances by black-chinned, Anna’s, rufous, and buff-bel- notice the colors and zoom in to investigate. lied hummingbirds—all wanderers from the West. Scientists believe that it’s no coincidence that Plant the right flowers and they will come. What hummingbirds, with their attenuated tongues and wildflowers and flowering shrubs and trees will prove long, pointed bills, are perfectly suited to drink irresistible to hummingbirds? That’s what you’ll need from—and pollinate—certain flowers. Hummingbirds to know. and many of the blossoms they visit are thought People who hike through hummingbird territory to have evolved together in a process biologists call wearing red have learned that the color red can be coevolution. Each gets something from the bargain. a powerful attractant. In Big Bend National Park in Hummingbird plants get their pollen delivered far Texas, I was once prodded repeatedly by a blue-throat- afield, which stirs the genetic pot and makes for nu- ed hummingbird. It mistook the maroon day-pack on merous and vigorous seeds and seedlings. In payment my back for an oversized blossom. for their courier work, hummingbirds come away with Bees see best at the violet and ultraviolet end of aviation fuel (we call it “nectar,” and its main ingredi- the spectrum, and perhaps that’s why hummingbird- ent is sucrose) and a rich harvest of insects. attracting plants have evolved red, orange, and yellow No bird lives on sweet drink alone. For humming- flowers. Bees see these colors poorly, if at all, yet hum- birds, insects and spiders provide fat and protein vital mingbirds spy them at great distances. In fact, if to their survival. So while hummingbirds come to your garden for nectar, they will also take away bellies full of bugs. Hummingbird flowers generally have little odor,

In Big Bend National Park in Texas, I was once prodded repeatedly by a blue-throated hummingbird. It mistook the maroon day-pack on my back for an oversized blossom. CHARLES MELTON

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and most hummingbirds have little or no sense of smell. (The black-chinned hummingbird of the West may be an exception, or the rule. Studies suggest that this bird sniffs its way to feeders. Further study will clarify whether other species do, too.) Yet what they lack in scent, hummingbird blossoms make up for in pleasing shapes and colors. Hummingbird flowers are usually trumpet-shaped, with the long tube or throat of the trumpet drooping downward. The shape and orientation help to deter would-be nectar robbers such as bees and butterflies, and the trumpet, or tubular corolla, guides the bird’s bill to its sweet reward. While feeding from a blossom, the hummingbird usually deposits or picks up pollen on its forehead, chin, or bill. Some hummingbird plants produce pollen at one time and develop receptive stigmata (the female parts of the blossoms) at others. This arrangement ensures that each flower Brightly colored flowers of all shades are attractive receives another flower’s pollen—a desirable circum- to hummingbirds. stance that produces greater genetic diversity among the plant’s seeds and better odds for survival. As I’ve already mentioned, bright colors (mostly thrive in the place where I planted it. So do the hum- reds, oranges, and yellows) typify the flowers that mingbirds, which are probably descendants of the hummingbirds visit. This is a good thing, not only for bergamot’s first visitors. the hummingbird that uses the colors as signposts to Of course, if you like your gardens grand and want food and drink, but for the hummingbird gardener, to keep hummingbirds visiting throughout the season, too. Every plant that attracts hummingbirds produces you’ll need to cultivate a variety of plants. Here I gorgeous blossoms. In providing food for the birds, recommend choosing natives to your region over you supply yourself, your friends, and neighbors a exotics. Ecologists are increasingly aware of the havoc feast for the eye. alien plants are wreaking in environments around the A simple hummingbird garden might consist of world. The beauty of gardening with indigenous plants a few plants of one or two species—just enough to is that it’s a win-win-win situation. You can conserve bring hummingbirds close for a look during the grow- natural resources, minimize your work load (natives, ing season. My first attempt at cultivating plants for when planted in the right place, require little care), hummingbirds was wildly successful, and it consisted and grow a beautiful garden all at the same time. The simply of transplanting a perennial herb called wild best plantings for hummingbirds vary from region to bergamot from a meadow where it was abundant and region. Detailed recommendations can be gleaned soon to be mowed. The plants were ready to bloom, from numerous sources, including garden centers, and I loved the idea of seeing the buds open outside plant nurseries, and websites. a picture window I had recently installed. By careful In my neck of the woods, proven hummingbird digging and frequent watering after the plants were attractors include the red native lobelia known as relocated, I kept all of them alive. They flowered mag- cardinal-flower, wild columbine, two of the mints— nificently, attracting several hummingbirds. Fourteen bee balm and wild bergamot—wild bleeding-heart,

years later, the wild bergamot and its offspring still turtlehead, the wild impatiens known as jewelweed, JULIE ZICKEFOOSE

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and native azaleas such as pinxter-fl ower. Certain staff can advise you as well as anyone regarding which trees attract hummingbirds, too, among them black plants will thrive in your corner of the world. Magazines locust and basswood. If you grew these plants and featuring birds and gardening usually run advertise- not a single hummingbird ever appeared, you would ments from companies that sell bird-attracting plants be satisfi ed by the beauty of the fl owers alone. When by mail. When ordering long-distance, make sure you hummingbirds do appear, they are the icing on a select plants that will be hardy in your region, and insist brightly colored cake. on a guarantee that the nursery is getting its In western North America, gar- stock from plant breeders, rather deners can attract such beauty than pillaging from the wild. pageant winners as rufous, Because humming- broad-tailed, Calliope, birds feed on insects and Anna’s humming- as well as sap and birds. Here native the nectar of their hummingbird plants favorite fl owers, are as diverse as all the plants the birds that sip of your garden from them. Good will encourage plants to try are soft- them in one way stemmed wildfl owers or another. Where such as bluebonnets, there are green and claret cup cactus, colum- growing things, there bines, scarlet delphinium, A male ruby-throated hummingbird are bugs. The menu for Indian pink, monkey fl owers, pen- performs a courtship display fl ight for a female. most hummingbirds includes stemons, and sage; and woody plants such gnats, fruit fl ies, aphids, mosquitoes, as ocotillo, New Mexico locust, and California buckeye. and tiny bees. Spiders are seized and swallowed, too, Although I have a strong preference for cultivat- as are those spider look-alikes, the daddy-long-legs. ing local native plants rather than exotics and plants Watching hummingbirds in your garden will pro- that are indigenous but outside their natural ranges, vide a source of satisfaction and delight. Rather than hummingbirds are not so choosy. seeing the hot-blooded helicopters The little nectar drinkers, in their landing again and again in the same enormous thirst and need to meet the Watching manner on a factory-made feeder, high caloric cost of keeping airborne, you’ll see their acrobatic talents tested will come readily to snapdragons, hummingbirds in by a variety of plants. Hummingbirds petunias, lilac, clematis, fuchsia, nas- hover, advance, retreat, and drive off turtium, morning glory, eucalyptus, your garden will competitors as conditions necessitate, foxglove, lantana, horse chestnut, and and watching them provides a de- Japanese honeysuckle. Among the ex- provide a source lightful course in civil and not-so-civil tralimital native plants that humming- of satisfaction aeronautics. bird-lovers grow in my part of the As gardener and air-traffi c country are trumpet creeper, buckeye, and delight. controller, your choice of planting Turk’s cap lily, and fl ame azalea. locations may have an important effect To obtain plants and seeds, there on the number of hummingbirds you are several options. Your local nursery probably stocks attract and the amount of time they spend battling

a variety of species on the hummingbird menu. The each other. Distributing plants around the four sides BY JULIE ZICKEFOOSE ILLUSTRATION

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of a house, for example, will help ensure that more In positioning a hummingbird than one hummingbird enjoys your floral smorgasbord. Male and female hummingbirds will defend favorite feeder, I recommend keeping feeding grounds, but there is a limit to how much area it within view of hummingbird one bird can survey and defend. You can also promote peace among hummingbirds by choosing plants with plants and well away from modest numbers of blossoms, and growing many of ordinary bird feeders. them. This will allow several hummingbirds to coexist in an area that otherwise might support only one. If you maintain hummingbird feeders, or would like to, a hummingbird garden will help attract customers much larger red bird several times in the belly, and and keep them around. The reverse is also true. Hang- backed off, hovering. The cardinal, meanwhile, either ing a few nectar feeders in or near your garden will terrorized or affronted, fled the scene and never ap- supplement the diet provided by the plants and ensure peared again. that the birds not only pay you a visit but stay a while. So if it’s hummingbirds you want, get to work. From There’s no need to buy commercial nectar formulas. humble beginnings, your garden may grow over the Simply boil four parts of water, stir in one part table years from a few plants seeded or transplanted on a sugar by volume, cool, and fill your feeders economi- single weekend into a lush, blossoming hummingbird cally. Be sure to keep unused sugar solution in the paradise. It will be a paradise frequented by angels, and refrigerator and keep your feeders clean. even if the feathered cherubs exhibit a little devilish In positioning a hummingbird feeder, I recommend behavior now and again, who will think to complain? keeping it within view of hummingbird plants and well away from ordinary bird feeders. Once, my wife and I Ed Kanze is a writer, naturalist, and photographer hung a hummingbird feeder a few inches from a feed- who lives in upstate New York. He has written several ing shelf frequented by a male cardinal, and the result wildlife books and is a contributing editor to Bird

CHARLES MELTON was ugly. A male hummingbird zoomed in, jabbed the Watcher’s Digest.

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Midwest/Great Plains Humid South —Jennifer Baker —Jeanne Lebow

North American hummingbirds are found in areas with The most exciting point to remember in the Humid scattered tree and shrub cover and along woodland South is that hummingbird gardening does not just edges; therefore the Great Plains, historically covered mean ruby-throats in the summer. Caribbean hum- by grasslands, does not harbor many hummingbirds. mingbirds sometimes wander into southern Florida. In the Midwest, however, the ruby-throated humming- The ruby-throated and buff-bellied breed in coastal bird is a common visitor to our yards. To entice these Texas, and wintering Anna’s hummingbirds have been creatures into your garden, offer their favorite foods reported as far north as Arkansas and North Carolina, by planting nectar-producing and insect-pollinated with a Calliope noted in Atlanta. Although 10 species plants. Native wildflower options include the beard- have been recorded in Mississippi, rufous humming- tongue, bergamot, and New Jersey tea. The lavender, birds seem to be the most numerous Humid South tube-shaped flowers of the beardtongue welcome the winterers. hummingbirds’ voracious appetite for nectar in early Although gnats and other soft-bodied insects are June. In midsummer, the tiny white flower clusters of major winter food sources for hummingbirds (compost the New Jersey tea attract insects, which satisfy the bins, ponds, and woods help “grow” these), nectar hummingbirds’ quest for protein. The lilac flowers of feeders and red flowers need to be up and running year- the bergamot provide nectar in late summer. These round not only to give flying dynamos a boost, but also wildflowers are native to the Midwest and eastern Great to provide a chance of seeing wintering hummingbirds. Plains and thrive on well-drained, sandy to sandy-loam Spring flowering natives that attract ruby-throats soils. Bergamot will also do well in heavy clay soils. are red buckeye, red maple, trumpet creeper, cross- vine, lyre-leaved sage, azaleas; and rhododendrons Jennifer Baker is senior consulting ecologist and and columbine in the northern part of the region. My landscape designer for Prairie Nursery in Westfield, husband Steve and I set out bright red cannas to act Wisconsin. She lives with her husband and son on 160 as a beacon to guide hummingbirds into our yard. acres in central Wisconsin. Summer blooming perennials and vines include

To entice these creatures into your garden, offer their favorite foods by planting nectar- producing and insect-pollinated plants. CHARLES MELTON

BWD E-BOOK SERIES: Hummingbirds birdwatchersdigest.com 1 8 orange jewelweed (a must, especially in the northern see a thriving hummingbird garden in action, pack a and middle part of the South), bee balm, coral bells, picnic and head to a nearby botanical garden such as coral honeysuckle, cypress vine, cardinal climber, red Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, Tucker Wildlife morning glory, butterfly bush, lantana, pentas, Turk’s Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon, Rancho Santa Ana cap lily, red hibiscus, and red crocosmia. Flowering in Botanical Garden in Claremont, Santa Barbara Bo- early summer, the non-native mimosa tree provides tanic Garden, or the University of California-Berkeley nectar and insects. Hummingbirds love salvias, and Botanical Garden. many bloom until frost: pineapple sage, Texas sage, Mexican bush sage, and giant blue sage. Throughout Amy Stewart is the author of Flower Confidential: The summer and fall, red ginger lilies are the mainstay of Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of our back garden, with cardinal flowers and Mexican Flowers. She blogs with a group of opinionated spikes also blooming in fall. gardeners at www.gardenrant.com. Many salvias and non-native favorites can be grown in the garden in summer and potted up and moved into the home or greenhouse on frosty nights Pacific Coast/Northwest and back out on warm days. Examples are Mexican —Barbara Richardson cigar plants, shrimp plants, flowering maples, and pagoda plants. Pacific Northwest gardeners can stop returning rufous hummingbirds in their tracks with the early blooms Jeanne Lebow has been a bird watcher and amateur of red-flowering currant. This deciduous Coast Range naturalist for almost 40 years. She teaches creative native prolifically flowers from March to June. Plant writing at the Mississippi School of the Arts. red-hot poker, foxglove, and the wickedly beautiful crocosmia (also called “Lucifer”) in your perennial beds to keep the hummingbirds happy through California/Pacific Coast midsummer. Then, from July to frost, let hardy fuchsia —Amy Stewart magellanica boast a profusion of long red and purple flowers. Foliage colors range from rich evergreen to Passionflower vine and Mexican bush sage will wel- lime-tinged yellow to a variegated creamy gray and come hummingbirds back into your garden every year. pink. All are hardy, except in the highest elevations. Consider drought-tolerant natives such as California In a protected spot with some sun and good drain- fuchsia, monkey flower, and lupine. Aloes thrive in age, they can even bloom through mild winters. That both desert and seaside areas and attract humming- should keep the overwintering Anna’s hummingbirds birds with their bright orange blooms. Cottage garden- very happy. ers may want to consider butterfly bush, bee balm, penstemon, and foxglove. Try cardinal climber for a Barbara Richardson is a novelist and professional fast-growing annual vine with small, trumpet-shaped garden designer. She lives in Portland, Oregon. red flowers, and in the vegetable garden, plant scarlet runner beans for their bright red flowers and edible bean pods. Species most frequently seen along the West Coast this time of year include Anna’s, Allen’s,

PAST TINTS PAST rufous, Costa’s, and black-chinned hummingbirds. To

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A hummingbird’s long tongue can reach nectar deep inside a flower or feeder.

Mountain West Canadian North —Miles Blumhardt —Warren Balgooyen

Gardeners in the mountain ecoregion, especially those Here on our farm in central Maine, we are blessed with above 6,000 feet, can expect to attract broad-tailed, frequent visits of ruby-throats, even though we have nev- black-chinned, Calliope, and rufous hummingbirds. At er used feeders. A 150-foot hedge of Siberian peashrub lower elevations, spring and fall migration are the best draws them in May with its profusion of deep yellow time to attract hummingbirds. pea-like flowers. The hedge leads to the house where a Best bets in shrubs to attract hummingbirds are perennial garden keeps them occupied all summer. Most Arnold’s red honeysuckle, butterfly bush, flowering prominent and popular in the garden is a large planting currant, rose of Sharon, and weigela. of mixed columbine. Their extended bloom lasts right Penstemon tops the perennial list, followed into August. Concurrently, there are perennial pockets closely by salvia, bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, of bee balm, delphinium, and various lilies in bloom. A coral bells, and tall garden phlox. favorite seems to be a generous planting of the native For annuals, try scarlet sage, salvia, petunia, flow- Turk’s cap lily. To our delight, this lily thrives here al- ering tobacco, four o’clock, nasturtium, zinnia, snap- though it’s well north of its natural range—with stalks up dragon, fuchsia, and spider flower. to nine feet, and 20 or more flowers per stalk. Proximal Inviting vines include trumpet honeysuckle, shrub displays of weigela “red prince” and azalea “rosy “Dropmore” honeysuckle, morning glory, trumpet lights” add to the lure along with the super hardy “Drop- vine, and scarlet runner bean. more” honeysuckle, a hybrid vine developed in Manitoba Due to wide fluctuation in planting zones (3–7) in that boasts orange-red tubular flowers through summer this ecoregion, not all of these plants are hardy to the and fall. Each year a few tardy but hardy “Dropmore” coldest zone. Check with your local nursery for hardiness. flowers can still be found right up to the first hard freeze.

Miles Blumhardt is the outdoor and garden writer at Warren Balgooyen is a naturalist and field botanist the Fort Collins Coloradoan newspaper. He is a self- who lives in Maine. He runs a landscaping service and taught gardener whose backyard is a certified backyard provides native plants on his small farm in order to

HENRY SCOTTHENRY RIDGE wildlife habitat. encourage wildlife habitat.

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Desert Southwest sports tubular flowers in a variety of color forms. The —Lynn Hassler reddish colors are best for attracting hummingbirds. Autumn sage has an extended blooming season dur- The Desert Southwest hosts more kinds of humming- ing the warmer months, and in my Tucson garden it birds than any other part of North America. At lower blooms throughout the year. It uses relatively little elevations in this region, hummingbird gardening can water and may not thrive in more humid regions, but be a year-round venture. With a selection of flowers it’s a good choice for the arid Southwest. that bloom at different seasons, one may host these hummingbirds all year long. The same garden might Lynn Hassler is a horticultural consultant specializing be visited by black-chinned hummingbirds in spring in bird and butterfly gardening. She is author ofBirds and summer, by rufous hummingbirds in early fall, of the American Southwest, Hummingbirds of the and by Anna’s hummingbirds in winter. American West, Gambel’s Quail, and Roadrunners. One excellent choice for the hummingbird garden She is also the author of Ravens: Soaring Through is autumn sage or Texas red sage. This small shrub, History, Legend & Lore. native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico,

The black- chinned hummingbird, a widespread western species, will readily visit urban feeders and flowers. CHARLES MELTON

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C H A P T E R 5

Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbirds, daintiest and most miraculous of dozen bright red and yellow feeders hanging from tree avian life—what’s not to like about them? Cleaning branches at his home in Inman, South Carolina. He their feeders, that’s what. cleans and refills them weekly according to a system As anyone who has struggled to scrub tubing he’s developed over the years. clogged with bug debris knows, it’s one yucky job. Then The reason Wedemeyer has so many feeders is there are the wasps and bees that hang around, attract- that male hummingbirds jealously guard feeders and ed to the sugar syrup, daunting all but the bravest from vigorously repel any females who approach his feed- refilling the feeders. It’s enough to make you forgo the ing stations. Multiple feeders give the females a better pleasure of attracting hummingbirds to your yard. chance of getting fed. And what about the algae that seem to flourish Wedemeyer favors the popular style of feeder fea- inside the glass or plastic bottle section? There’s not a turing a blossom-shaped bottom with perches beneath brush around that will remove algae satisfactorily. each feeding hole. He says that although humming- A South Carolina hummingbird fan has the birds can sip while hovering, it’s easier for them to sit answer to the feeder-cleaning problem. Henry Wede- a spell while they feed. His step-by-step program for

HENRY SCOTTHENRY RIDGE meyer, a retired management consultant, has half a cleaning feeders goes like this:

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Take the feeder apart and soak the bottle, bee guards, 1base, and tubing in a pan of warm water.

To clean the bottle, fill it with water and add a small packet of nickel-plated BBs. Holding your thumb over 2the opening, shake well. The bouncing BBs will scour the inside of the bottle better than even a baby bottle brush, which can’t reach into corners. Drain out the water, pat the BBs dry on a towel, and store them in a jar for the next cleaning.

More Tips For Hummingbird Lovers Use cotton swabs to clean the base and tubing. Wipe Henry and his wife, Elizabeth Hazel Wedemeyer, love off all parts with paper towels. the inquisitive nature of hummingbirds. She says, “I’m 3 charmed by the whirring sound as they come close to investigate my lipstick or red, sunburned nose.” Here are some other helpful hints for hummingbird feeding: Now for those pesky bee guards. Place them in a sepa- rate cup of warm water, and add a tablet of denture • Honey is not good for hummingbirds, and red color- 4cleanser. Voila! The effervescing action will do the ing isn’t necessary if your feeders have red parts. BWD work for you. recommends making your own nectar. Use 4 parts of water to 1 part of sugar. Bring the water to a boil, add sugar, and mix well; cool and refrigerate. If your feeders lack red parts, hang a bright red or orange ribbon Reassemble, then fill the feeder. or piece of cloth below the feeder.

5 • If the hummingbirds have not emptied their feeders in a week, change the liquid. It goes bad in about that time, and hummingbirds will shun it. Note: Nectar in Invert the feeder and rehang. feeders placed in direct, full sunlight will spoil more 6 quickly and should be replaced more often. • The arrival and departure dates of hummingbirds That’s it, and the chore takes longer to describe than it will vary with the locale, but you don’t have to worry does to accomplish. As Wedemeyer remarks, “I used about leaving feeders up too long. Hummingbirds to hate this process. Now I only dislike it.” will take off on their flight across the Gulf of Mexico

whenever nature tells them to, irrespective of local BY JULIE ZICKEFOOSE ILLUSTRATION feeding opportunities.

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