 |
 |
|||||||||
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
An understanding of the Hummingbirds nesting, mating, and feeding habits may aid you in attracting and keeping these small wonders in your backyard garden and around your bird feeders. Hummingbirds may be small, but they don't always seem to know it. These tiny birds have the habit of staunchly defending their territory at the bird feeder during the fall migration. DescriptionThe Ruby Throated hummingbird only measures 3 3/4 inches long, and is the widest-ranging of all North American hummingbirds.This green and scarlet hummingbird is the only one likely to be seen east of the Mississippi River. The male Ruby-throated hummingbird has green upperparts and a iridescent red throat. Although depending on light, the throat may appear black. The breast and middle are whitish. Female Ruby-throats have green upperparts and whitish underparts. Nectar RecipeHumming Bird Sugar Water MixtureA feeder filled with sugar water will attract this relatively tame visitor. Just mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Boil the mixture 3 or 4 minutes and let cool. Fill your feeder and store any of the leftover nectar recipe in the refrigerator. Your feeders need to be cleaned throughly every 3-4 days. Feeding HabitsHummingbirds must eat all day long just to survive. In addition to nectar from flowers and your sugar water feeder, these birds eat small insects, beetles, ants, aphids, gnats, mosquitoes, and wasp.As you can see, it's to your advantage to attract these jewels to your backyard. When Do You Stop Feeding Hummingbirds
The best time to stop feeding hummingbirds is 2 weeks after you no longer see them visiting your yard and feeders. As long as you still see them visiting, keep providing for them. This will allow them to store fat resources for their long migration. Nesting HabitsWhen looking for Ruby-throats nest, you'll need a keen eye. It's nest is a cup of plant down and spider web, covered with flakes of lichen, placed 5-20 ft. above ground. Look for a horizontal limb with a slight downslope. Two white eggs are incubated for about 20 days by the female humming bird and the young will leave the nest 20-22 days after hatching.May attempt 2 broods each season.
Some Hummingbirds migrate 600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico. During fall, hummingbirds will store enough fat to double their weight in order to make the long trip. That's quite a feat for a bird that weighs about the same as 2 1/2 paper clips!
Ideas To Get and Keep Hummingbirds In Your Backyard
More Information Attracting Hummingbirds With Flowers And Plants
Back to top Humming Birds Back to List of Birds
|
Hummingbird House A Home For Hummingbirds Share Your Stories!
 Great Hummingbird Books/Resources Hummingbird Nectar Convenience, Just Add Water
 You Can Do
Bird Watchers Digest Magazine |
|||||||||
|
Then why not use the button below, to add us to your favorite bookmarking service? | ||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
Here are a few interesting facts and behavioral habits of this bird:
