Birdfeeders

Even though fall migration begins for some birds as early as July and finches and sparrows don’t usually travel until November, the peak time for fall migration is September and early October. By mid September, the hanging bird feeders have no where near the visitors that were present a couple of months ago. Some birds will only travel short distances in order to find a winter food supply while others will go thousands of miles to warmer winter quarters. All birds, no matter how far they will travel, will feel the migratory restlessness. Nesting season is over and local food supplies are dwindling so there is no reason to stay. Now is the time to watch for traveling visitors to your yard. Even if these birds are not interested in visiting your bird feeders, they will most certainly be interested in having a drink of water and maybe a bath, so now is a very important time to keep birdbaths full of clean, fresh water. You just may find migrating birds hanging around for a few days for the fall migration is much more leisurely than in the spring when birds are hurrying to reach their nesting grounds.

Now that bluebird populations are coming back, there is a bluebird species in all of the lower 48 states. Mountain bluebirds are larger and stronger than the other two species and even breeds as far north as eastern Alaska. This species also needs a slightly larger birdhouse hole (1 9/16 inches instead of 1 1/2 inches). Mountain bluebirds also do more migrating than the others as they winter in Texas in large flocks. Eastern and western bluebirds only migrate far enough south to find reliable food supplies. Interestingly, bluebirds flock in the winter and even sleep together in bluebird houses or tree cavities on cold nights. During mild winters, they may even stay near their breeding areas if there is food available. Bluebirds always seem to enjoy using bluebird houses, so it is great fun to have at least one in your yard. By early February there is activity around bluebird houses which continues through May anyway. We have found that having 2-3 bluebird houses if you have the space, offers a better opportunity to attract them, even if starlings or house finches manage to occupy one.

It was only about 50 years ago when bluebirds were nearly gone in North America. With high pesticide use, loss of habitat and competition for nesting holes from starlings and house sparrows, the bluebird population plummeted. This was so serious that bluebirds actually disappeared from much of their traditional range. Luckily, a few people began an intense effort to provide bluebird houses across large areas. The devised a plan to put up a series of bluebird houses in open grassland habitats. This practice became known as a bluebird trail. There was some trial and error involved. Many were put on top of fence posts, but then it was discovered that these were easily raided by predators. Now they are being mounted on poles that cannot be climbed. As these trails have been added across North America and many pesticides have been banned, bluebirds are making a wonderful comeback. All three species are doing well because bluebird lovers all over are adding bluebird houses in trails and in their backyards to provide housing for these beautiful birds.

 I would love to know how this myth began - certainly with a great deal of imagination! Actually, this is widely believed and even defended by many people, but honestly, it simply is not true. Hummingbirds do NOT migrate by catching a ride on the backs of geese. I admit it sounds like a good idea, but in fact, hummingbirds migrate by using their own wings. The other widely believed hummingbird myth is that they will not migrate if we leave up our hummingbird feeders. Remember, hummingbirds get most of their nourishment from flowers and eating insects, not from our hummingbird feeders. In fact, by leaving our hummingbird feeders up, they can be a quick stop off point for migrating hummingbirds. Hummingbirds know instinctively when it is time to migrate. There is nothing we can do that will stop them from leaving when it is time to go.

If you want to attract bluebirds to your yard, you must have two things. First, obviously, is a bluebird house, or actually, 2-4 bluebird houses are even better. The other absolutely necessary ingredient is the proper habitat. Bluebirds love open grassy area for that is where they find their food. These birds do not pursue their food, but rather they sit on a perch, such as a fence, and watch for  the movement of insects below. Bluebirds have excellent eyesight so when they spot movement, they simply swoop down to catch the grasshopper, cricket, caterpillar, etc. If you have a large open grassy area near your home, you have an excellent chance of attracting bluebirds by offering bluebird houses out in the open. Since bluebirds are cavity nesters but cannot carve out their own tree cavities, they depend on either finding a cavity available in a tree or using a bluebird house that we provide. It can be difficult to find a nesting cavity that is not already occupied, so the help we provide is quite necessary to the continuing success of this species.

During early spring, there is lots of hummingbird activity around the hummingbird feeders. Males are aggressively trying to keep each other away, there is lots of swooping and diving and swinging-pendulum-like flights. All of this is about courtship. Male hummingbirds have absolutely nothing to do with nesting or caring for their young, but they specialize in fancy courtship displays. Their colorful throat feathers as well as their body feathers have droplets of oil trapped inside of them that actually refract the sun’s light to appear a variety of brilliant colors. After the male impresses the female enough for her to mate with him, they part ways. The female begins nest building by gathering soft plant fluff and spider webs to build a walnut-sized nest. This tiny nest provide a home for her two (occasionally 3) pea-sized eggs. The chicks hatch in 15-22 days and are wonderful to see if you are lucky enough to spot a hummingbird nest. The female then has to work hard to feed the chicks all by herself giving them regurgitated nectar and tiny insects like aphids and gnats. Young hummingbirds may stay in the nest as long as 31 days - much longer than most other birds. It is so wonderful to finally see the young hummingbirds start appearing at our hummingbird feeders!

Because feeding hummingbirds is so popular, there are lots and lots of styles of hummingbird feeders available. It is important to know a few basics before shopping for a hummingbird feeder for it is quite disappointing to get one with problems. The first priority is color. Most of the best hummingbird feeders have bright red parts to attract the attention of hummingbirds just as red flowers do. Other bright colors can work, but red seems to work the best. I have found that it is best to have feeders that have ports that face up. I have had more than one hummingbird feeder with ports on the side or facing down and they all seem to leak. There are often really neat looking ceramic hummingbird feeders at craft fairs, etc., but not only do they leak usually, there is no way to clean them. They are attractive but totally unpractical. I think the best hummingbird feeders are either clear plastic or glass so you can monitor the nectar level, have bright red parts, top feeding ports and can be taken apart easily for cleaning. The other consideration is capacity. That depends on how busy your hummingbird feeder is. I have found that a larger capacity is better. In the spring when hummers are just arriving, I only fill it about half way so I can clean it every couple of days and not waste nectar. During the busiest times, I can completely fill it and not have to refill it daily. Then be sure to hang it near a window for easy viewing and in a place that is easy for the hummingbirds to find it and easy for you to reach it for cleaning and refilling.

Hummingbirds in your area will most likely find your hummingbird feeders even without plants to attract them nearby, but if you really want hummingbirds to frequent your yard, the best thing to do is plant flowers they love. Most of these flowers or red or orange and have a tubular shape that is a perfect fit for the hummingbird’s bill. Flowers provide a constant food source and also make your yard attractive. Among the most popular hummingbird plants are beebalm, many salvia and sage species and the trumpetvine. Every area has different plants that attractive to hummingbirds and are available at your local garden center. We have found that a bed of salvia in our yard encourages many more hummers to visit our hummingbird feeders. The most important consideration for your hummingbird garden is to plan for continuous blooming throughout the summer and into the fall.

Most of us in the United States have hummingbirds flying through our yards for at least part of the year and are familiar with their zipping here and there aggressive behavior. However, hummers are unique to North, Central and South America. There are 338 species in all, but only 16 species exist in North America. During the warm months of April through late September, hummingbirds will visit hummingbird feeders all over the United States. In the eastern half of the country, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only regular visitor, but in the West there are 10 commonly found species. During the summer months, southeastern Arizona is the place to be to watch hummers for a dozen or more species can be seen at a single feeding station! Along the west coast, Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents, but most of the rest leave to find warmer climates in the southern countries. Since feeding hummingbirds is so easy, hummingbird feeders are the most popular backyard bird feeders. The hummers are especially attracted to bright colors, especially red so there are many styles of hummingbird feeders to choose from. If a hummingbird feeder is kept clean and full of sugar water nectar (1 part white sugar to 4 parts clean water), hummers are sure visit and keep us entertained with their aggressive antics.

To attract birds to our yards, first we need a variety of types of bird feeders - some hanging bird feeders, some ground feeders, suet feeders, etc. Also important is a yard with a diversity of plants. Lots of different annuals and perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. The plants in your yard should offer protection, food and nesting sites. We have found that rather than planting 1-2 plants of a type, plant a group. Birds may not notice a couple of zinnias, but a full bed of them will attract plenty of attention. If space permits, let an area of the yard just be natural. We have an area way in the back that we just ignore and let it go. All sorts of things come up that seem to attract birds and in the spring, this area furnishes plenty of nesting materials. For now, our winter resident birds are beginning to be regular visitors again, so we are stocking up on bird seed to keep those hanging bird feeders full.