Gardening for Hummingbirds - Zone6
How to make my backyard Hummingbird friendly :
Just plant nectar rich flowers and the Hummingbirds will show up.
How do I make attract Hummingbirds to my garden :
If you love your garden, you already have what Hummingbirds Like.
I do put out a birdfeeder around May 1.
I tried earlier, but I had to dump the nectar out, because I think it was too early for them in Zone6.
This year I saw my first Hummingbird May 12. Last year I saw my first Hummingbird May 5.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe:
I make my own.
1 part of white granulated sugar.
4 parts of water.
Mix all together - and you are done.
I only fill my feeders half full and put the rest in the fridge.
23 Plants and Flowers that attract Hummingbirds :
Honeysuckle, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Lavender, Cosmos, Petunias, Lobelia, Phlox, Day Lilies, Hollyhocks, Heucheras, Columbine, Geraniums, Sweet Alyssum, Lantana, Impatiens, Foxgloves, Cleomes, Lantana, Trumpet Vine, Morning Glory and Lupins.
Hanging plants that attract Hummingbirds:
I found that my Hummingbirds like Petunias, Geraniums, Impatiens, Lobelia and Fuchsia.
Best Hummingbird Feeder for me :
I like metal and glass hummingbird feeders.
Plastic hummingbird feeders only last about a season where I live.
The hot bright sun just destroys them. I found the ones that I'm using at Homehardware and Lowes.
When to Hang Up a Hummingbird Feeder in Zone6? :
I hang up my hummingbird feeders around May 1.
I tried earlier, but I didn't see any.
At the same time I put out sliced oranges for the Baltimore Orioles.
If I don't have any sliced oranges, they will drink the Hummingbird Nectar, but they prefer the orange juice. :)
Gardening for Birds in Canada
Just plant nectar rich flowers and the Hummingbirds will show up.
When we bought this building lot, there was nothing here except grass, mostly weeds.
I raked and I planted all day, including in my sleep.
Then one day I was working in the garden and something went by me really fast and I just ignored it and again.
So I looked and it was Hummingbird. I was standing in front of a Hollyhock and the Hummingbird wanted to eat.
I wasn't looking for Hummingbirds and I didn't think there was any Hummingbirds around our area.
After that I bought a hummingbird feeder and they continue to prefer the fresh nectar. :)
Landscaping for Butterflies ||
Bird Spring Cleaning & Maintenance
About Humming birds
More than 400 Hummingbirds are Known and only 19 of those live in United States.
My hummingbirds migrate from United States, but British Columbia have Hummingbirds that winter there.
How Hummingbirds got its Name?
Hummingbirds got it's name from the sound that they make by their wings. Hummingbirds wings can move 60-70 a second.
Food:
Insects are the most important part of hummingbird's diet.
Nectar is dessert.
Hummingbird Types in Canada:
I have seen three different species of hummingbirds in my backyard.
- 1. Anna
- 2. Black-chinned
- 3. Calliope
- 4. Rubby-throated - see these most often - male and female
- 5. Rufous
Interesting facts about various Hummingbirds in Canada:
These hummingbirds play important roles as pollinators, visiting a wide variety of flowers to feed on nectar while transferring pollen between flowers, thus aiding in plant reproduction. I wish they would build a nest at my house.1. Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna):
• Incubation: The female Anna's Hummingbird incubates the eggs for about 14 to 19 days.
• Nesting: Anna's Hummingbirds build cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, moss and spider silk, often located in trees or shrubs, including ornamental plants in urban areas.
• Migration: While Anna's Hummingbirds are primarily resident birds, some individuals may migrate short distances or move to lower elevations during the winter months in response to cold temperatures.
• Interesting Facts: Anna's Hummingbirds are one of the few hummingbird species that can sing during flight, producing a high-pitched squeaky song during courtship displays. Male Anna's Hummingbirds have iridescent pinkish-red throat feathers, known as a gorget, which can appear dark or black in certain lighting conditions. These hummingbirds are adaptable to urban environments and can be commonly found in gardens, parks, and backyard feeders, especially in coastal regions of western North America.
2. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri):
• Incubation: The female Black-chinned Hummingbird incubates the eggs for about 12 to 16 days.
• Nesting: Black-chinned Hummingbirds build small cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, spider silk, and other materials, usually located in trees or shrubs.
• Migration: Black-chinned Hummingbirds undertake long migrations between their breeding grounds in western North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America, flying thousands of miles each year.
• Interesting Facts: Despite their name, the throat of male Black-chinned Hummingbirds appears more iridescent purple rather than black, especially when catching the light at the right angle. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are known for their agility and speed, capable of rapid flight maneuvers and chasing away from feeding territories.
3. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope):
• Incubation: The female Calliope Hummingbird incubates the eggs for about 14 to 16 days.
• Nesting:: Calliope Hummingbirds build small cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, moss, and spider silk, often located in coniferous trees or shrubs, particularly in mountainous regions.
• Migration:: Calliope Hummingbirds undertake one of the longest migrations of any North American hummingbird species, traveling up to 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) from their breeding grounds in western North America to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
•Interesting Facts:: Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest bird species found in Canada and one of the smallest bird species in North America. Male Calliope Hummingbirds have vibrant magenta streaks on their throats, which they display during courtship displays to attract females. Despite their tiny size, Calliope Hummingbirds are highly territorial and will fiercely defend feeding territories, often engaging in aerial chases with other hummingbirds. These hummingbirds have a unique vocalization, producing high-pitched chirping sounds during flight and while perched. Calliope Hummingbirds have a specialized feeding technique called "trap-lining," where they visit a series of flowers in a predictable pattern to maximize nectar intake.
4. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris):
• Incubation:: The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird incubates the eggs for about 12 to 14 days.
• Nesting:: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds build cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, spider silk, and other materials, often attaching them to branches with spider webs. The nests are about the size of a walnut and are typically located high up in trees or shrubs.
• Migration:: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate between their breeding grounds in eastern North America and their wintering grounds in Central America. They undertake a long journey across the Gulf of Mexico, flying non-stop for up to 500 miles (800 kilometers) in about 18 to 22 hours.
• Interesting Facts:: Despite their small size, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are remarkable flyers, capable of hovering in mid-air, flying backward, and even flying upside down. These hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism, with heart rates that can exceed 1,200 beats per minute. The brilliant ruby-red throat patch, or gorget, of the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird is iridescent and appears black from some angles. During migration, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds double their body weight to store enough fat reserves for the arduous journey across the Gulf of Mexico. Despite their tiny size, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial and will aggressively defend feeding territories, often engaging in aerial battles with other hummingbirds or even larger birds.
5. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus):
• Incubation:: The female Rufous Hummingbird incubates the eggs for about 14 to 16 days.
• Nesting:: Rufous Hummingbirds build small cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, moss, and spider silk, usually located in trees or shrubs.
• Migration:: Rufous Hummingbirds have one of the longest migration routes of any North American hummingbird species, traveling up to 3,900 miles (6,300 kilometers) from their breeding grounds in western North America to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
• Interesting Facts:: Rufous Hummingbirds are known for their aggressive behavior, often chasing away other hummingbirds from feeding territories, including larger species. Male Rufous Hummingbirds have vibrant reddish-orange plumage on their throats and backs, which gives them their name. Despite their small size, Rufous Hummingbirds are highly resilient and adaptable, able to survive in a variety of habitats ranging from coastal areas to mountain forests.
Hummingbirds' Size:
According to the encyclopedia.
A hummingbird without feathers - the smallest of the hummingbirds - are no large than a Bumble bee. Only a few Hummingbirds are larger than 6".
The largest Hummingbird is the Giant Hummingbird, a native to Andes Mountains of South America. It grows to 9".
The smallest Hummingbird is the Bee Hummingbird, a native to Cuba. It grows to 2" long.
The smallest hummingbird in United States is the Calliope Hummingbird and it's native to western mountain regions and it's about 3" long.
I wanted to make sure I had this right.:)
- Reference Source:
World Book Encyclopedia
Gardening for Birds
Other Nature in Canada - Bird Facts - colbornevillage.com
Hummingbird Clip Art to Colour homes-n-gardens.com