Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appear to migrate across the Gulf of Mexico two times a year, spring and fall. They winter in Central America and Mexico. It takes about 18 to 24 hours for the hummingbirds to fly across the Gulf. The long migration process takes a heavy toll on young and old birds alike. You will always see fewer birds during spring migration and nesting season (March-June) than you do during the fall migration (July-September).
The nest is constructed from the down of dandelions and thistle, attached to the limb with spider webbing and covered with naturally occurring lichens that grow on trees. The nests are about the size of a walnut. They are sometimes reworked and used year after year. The female lays two white eggs about the size of a black-eyed pea.
Adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Length -- 3.5 inches
Weight -- 3.1 grams
Body temp -- 105°- 108°F
Wing beat -- 40 to 80 per second
Heart rate -- 250 bpm resting
1,200 beats per minute feeding
Flight speed -- 30 mph normal speed
Escape speed -- 50 mph
Eyes -- We think hummingbirds have about 8x binocular vision and can see your feeder from about 3/4 of a mile.
Tongue -- The tongue is longer than the bill and is forked on the end, it has small wavy membranes on the sides that soak up the nectar and each time the bird ejects the tongue it squeezes the nectar into its mouth. It actually laps the nectar out of flowers and feeders like a cat.
Attracting hummers to your yard will require a bright splash of color. This can be accomplished by selective plantings or by artificial means such as silk flowers. These methods will attract the hummers to your yard making it easier for them to find your feeders. See the list of the HBSG favorite plants for hummers.
Caring For Feeders
Cleaning - Flush the feeders every week with hot tap water and clean with a bottle brush, rinse. Do not use soap. At least once a month, clean the feeders thoroughly with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water, let it set in this solution for about an hour then if necessary clean with a bottle brush.Almost all feeders can be dismantled for easier cleaning. Rinse well with running water and let the feeders air-dry completely before refilling. This can be done at night and refilled the next morning so you don't disrupt the feeding of the birds. When the temperature is over 80°F, change your feeder solution every 3 to 4 days, flushing the feeders with hot tap water and a bottle brush. We recommend clear glass or plastic feeders so you can keep track of the amount of sugar water and its condition.
Dealing with Pests
Ants: Dip a pipe cleaner in vegetable oil and wrap it around the wire from which the feeder hangs. Ants will not cross the oil. Re-oil occasionally.
