Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds: A Bird Watcher's Delight

Every spring, usually in late March around these parts, the humming bird watch begins. There's nothing else quite like observing that first bird of the season find the feeder. It's truly a bird watcher's delight.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are doubtless the most recognized hummingbird species in North America. Most prevalent in the eastern portion of the continent, these hummingbirds are quite stunning. Both males and females sport emerald green back plumage. However, only the males have the distinctive ruby coloring in the throat area. It's no surprise that these beautiful little birds have inspired artists everywhere, and frequently turned up in paintings and sculptures alike.

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The typical length of the ruby-throated hummingbird is only three and a half inches, and the average weight of one only an eighth of an ounce! One of the most amazing things about these birds is how fast their wings move, and the speed at which they can fly. A hummingbird's wings can beat up to eighty beats per second, with the average hovering around fifty. Flight speed can reach as high as 63 miles per hour, especially when these little birds are diving or in escape mode. Since they tend to chase one another incessantly, you'll often see them in escape mode.

If you are interested in attracting hummingbirds to your garden or yard, you should begin by first planning and planting a hummingbird garden. These gardens serve several purposes. First, they provide the hummingbirds with something to dine on. Second, they attract the birds to any feeders that are nearby. And third, they bring beauty to your landscape. One important consideration is to make sure your hummingbird garden is organic. Pesticides used on the flowers can potentially harm the birds.

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You'll find a tremendous variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and vines to include in your hummingbird garden. Some popular choices include: Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory, Bee Balm, Foxglove, Hummingbird Mint, Trumpet Creeper, Hosta, Impatiens, Red Buckeye and Petunia. Usually you'll want to plant trumpet-shaped, nectar producing, bright-colored flowers.

Next, you'll probably want to hang your hummingbird feeder(s). At almost any garden supply store, you'll find a wide variety of feeders designed especially for hummingbirds. To fill the feeder, you can purchase a commercially made feeding solution, or make your own. All that's needed is one part white sugar combined with four parts water. Some people will tell you to use red food coloring in your hummingbird solution to attract the birds, but this is not really a necessity.

Now, show a little patience, and your efforts will soon pay dividends. As any bird-watcher can tell you, hummingbirds often appear unexpectedly and leave quickly, so if you spot one, consider yourself lucky! On the other hand, it will more than likely be back to feed many times. In fact, it may return for several more years to accept your hospitality.

While you're here, please be sure to check our hummingbird news feeds located near the bottom of most pages on this site! Content is refreshed several times weekly. Bookmark us!

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