There is only one

text and photo :  Norma A. Hubbard  (June 2013)

If you blink, you might miss them. Hummingbirds move their wings up to 75 beats per second producing a humming sound, hence the name. They are 8 to 10 cm in length, have an 11 cm wingspan, and weigh a mere 3 g, or the equivalent of 2 1⁄2 paper clips. Without a doubt, these are tiny, but fascinating birds, and there is only one type in our area: the Ruby throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).

While these birds are tiny, they still have many of the traits of larger birds, including establishing and defending their territories. Males often arrive first to establish a territory for the female. These fierce fighters will protect a territory of about 1⁄4 acre. Females lay 1 to 2 eggs and incubation is 11 to16 days. Nests are made from soft plant down, like milkweed thistles, and are bound with spider web. Females can have 1 to 3 broods per year. The female raises the young on her own.

Hummingbirds are quite inquisitive and will often approach people. Two summers ago, while watering the garden on a very hot day, I was very lucky to have a hummingbird decide to take a ‘shower’ in the spray. It was an amazing experience to watch such a tiny bird hover just inches away from me as he took his shower. He came back several times and between each ‘shower’ I could see him preening on a branch close by. After this experience, I have continued to offer showers to the hummingbirds on hot days, and more often than not, they take advantage of the offer.

Hummingbirds return to us each May and are gone all too soon by the fall. The best way to attract them is to have a few feeders ready for their arrival after their long migration. Hummingbirds travel from the Gulf of Mexico and they will stay 1 to 14 days at feeders along their migration route. They will remember where the food was and come back year after year.

A word of caution, though: never use food that contains red dye as it can harm these birds. There are brands that contain no dye, and since most feeders are red, it doesn’t matter if the food is clear. You can make hummingbird food using a 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar. It is best to use boiled water. Always let sugar-water cool before using. In cooler weather, the ratio can be increased to 3:1. Never use honey, brown sugar, molasses, or sugar substitutes. Whether you make or purchase food, it is important to change the food frequently (every 3 to 4 days). It’s a good idea to use small feeders and change the food more often, even daily in extreme heat.

If you really want to attract hummingbirds, in addition to feeders, it is worthwhile growing flowering plants as a natural source of nectar. Hummingbirds are drawn to red and prefer cone-shaped flowers. There are several varieties of plants that readily attract them, such as, red columbine, trumpet or coral honeysuckle, phlox, saliva, bee balm, and lilies. With a little effort, anyone can attract these tiny birds!

References :
Stokes Field Guide to Birds Eastern Region (Donald & Lillian Stokes)
Birds of Canada (Fred J. Alsop III)
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology