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Hummingbirds & Feeders
To Feed A Hummingbird
Four species of hummingbirds are found in
Nebraska, one in the east and three in the west. Ruby-throated
hummingbirds migrate through eastern Nebraska in spring and fall, and some
nest here, mostly along the Missouri river valley. Typically, ruby-throat
migration in Nebraska peaks about May 5-17 and September 2-18, but
northward migration may occur from April to June and southward flights
from August to early October. Broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds are
seen in the Nebraska panhandle during fall migration from late July to
early September with most sightings in early to mid-August. Calliope
hummingbirds are seen rarely in the panhandle area. These four hummingbird
species spend winter in Mexico and Central America.
The natural diet of hummers is flower
nectar, tree sap, and small insects and spiders that are often captured in
or near flowers. This natural diet can be supplemented by hummingbird
feeders, which dispense a sugar water solution. Flowers blooming through
the season, however, are needed when hummingbirds are present to attract
them and to provide the natural foods required for a complete diet.
Flowers add beauty and a place where
hummingbirds can find both flower nectar and insects to eat.
Table
I lists recommended herbaceous plants
that can provide a variety of flowers for hummingbirds when they are
present in your rural or urban community. These landscape plants provide
beauty as well as a natural foraging area where hummingbirds can find both
flower nectar and small insects to eat. Select plants that provide flowers
throughout the season, especially at times when you expect hummingbirds.
Include red varieties of the plants listed because red tubular flowers
appear to be especially attractive to hummingbirds. Some of the plants
listed occur both as wildflowers and as cultivated varieties. Where these
wildflowers are growing naturally, maintaining them can benefit
hummingbirds. For planting, check with nurseries for availability of
either wildflowers or cultivated varieties.
Trees and shrubs form the framework of
your landscape and these also can benefit hummingbirds. Common flowering
shrubs favored by hummingbirds include Coralberry (Symphoricarpos
orbiculatus and other species), Weigela (Weigela florida), and
Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Other shrubs used include
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia
amabilis), Currant (Ribes odoratum), and Gooseberry (Ribes
speciosum). Trees used by hummingbirds include Flowering Crab
(Malus spp.), Hawthorne (Crataegus spp.), Horsechestnut
(Aesculus hippocastanum), Tuliptree (Liriodendron
tulipifera), and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). In
maintaining flowering plants, it's best to avoid insecticide use around
the flowers, because hummingbirds depend on small insects as part of their
diet.
Commercial "nectar" solutions for
hummingbirds can be purchased or easily made by mixing one part granulated
white sugar (common table variety) with four parts water. For example, mix
1/4 cup sugar with one cup water. Boil the water, dissolve the sugar, then
allow to cool before filling the feeder. Keep leftover portions
refrigerated until needed. Change the mix every few days, more often in
hot weather, and clean the feeder each time before refilling to prevent
molds that can harm the birds.
Feeders can be cleaned by either rinsing
with hot water, filling with vinegar and uncooked rice and shaking
vigorously, or soaking the feeder in a solution of two ounces household
bleach mixed with one gallon of water. A stiff bottle brush may help but
avoid soaps because residues may interfere with the capillary action of
the feeder.
When selecting a hummingbird feeder, look
for one that's easy to fill and clean and without too many nooks and
crannies. Some red on the feeder is desirable because it seems to attract
hummingbirds, and bee guards (grids or screens) over the feeding ports
help discourage bees. Hang the feeder from a tree branch or on a deck or
porch, preferably in partial shade, near flowers, and out of the wind.
Consider using more than one feeder to prevent an aggressive male
hummingbird from dominating and to add viewing opportunities. For example,
place a feeder near your hummingbird flowers and another closer to your
home or viewing windows. Place feeders out in time for expected arrivals
and continue until hummingbirds migrate on.
Avoid honey mixtures for feeding because
there is increased potential for spoilage and harmful molds. Also, avoid
red food coloring; the red tip or plastic flower on the feeding spout is
sufficient and there is some concern that the food coloring might be
harmful. If your feeder doesn't have red, you can add a red plastic
flower, red ribbon, red tape, or even red nail polish on the surface of
feeding ports. To prevent ants from coming to the feeder, keep the outside
clean and, if needed, coat the feeder hanger or the spout with salad oil
or petroleum jelly. To deter bees, some feeders have bee guards, and
another possible approach is to repel bees by rubbing Avon Skin-so-soft®
or Off Skintastic® onto the feeder surface by the feeder ports.
To help attract small insects eaten by
hummingbirds, hang an overripe banana peal or cantaloupe near the feeder;
a mesh produce sack makes a convenient holder. Finally, to benefit
hummingbirds, use all pesticides wisely and only when needed. And minimize
insecticide use, especially around flowers, because hummingbirds depend on
small insects as part of their diet.
Plants |
Sun Exposure |
Moisture Preference |
Flowering Time |
Comments |
Rose-of-Sharon Hibiscus
syriacus |
Full sun to partial shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Late summer to early fall |
Perennial shrub that may die back to the ground
each year. |
American columbine Aquilegia
hybrids |
Full sun to partial shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Late spring early summer |
Short-lived herbaceous perennial. In full sun
locations, protect from hot afternoon sun. |
Bee balm (Oswego tea, or Scarlet
bergamot) Monarda didyma |
Full sun |
Moist |
Summer |
Herbaceous perennial. Many cultivars - select
powdery mildew resistant types. Remove faded flowers (dead head).
Not drought tolerant. |
Blazing stars Liatris spp. |
Full sun or light shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Midsummer to late fall |
Perennial. Several species and cultivars
available. |
Butterfly-bush Buddleia
davidii |
Full sun |
Moist; well-drained; cool |
Early summer |
Behaves as a herbaceous perennial in our climate.
Many cultivars. |
Clematis Clematis × jackmanii and other
species |
East exposure; sun |
Moist; well-drained; cool soil |
Early summer |
Perennial. Many cultivars - some natives; mulch
soil to keep cool; avoid hot afternoon sun. |
Coral bells Heuchera sanguinea |
Sun to partial shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Late spring |
Herbaceous perennial; Needs high organic soils -
avoid clay |
Daylily Hemerocallis spp. and
hybrids |
Sun to partial shade |
Moist to dry, well-drained |
Late spring to summer |
Herbaceous perennial. Many hybrids - use different
hybrids and species to obtain season long bloom. |
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea |
Semi-shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Spring |
Biennial; self-sows and maintains
itself. |
Garden phlox (Perennial phlox) Phlox
paniculata |
Sun |
Moist; well-drained |
Summer |
Herbaceous perennial. Requires site with good air
movement; avoid overhead watering, or water in early morning; many
cultivars; mildew a serious problem. |
Gladiolas Gladiolus spp. |
Sun |
Moist; well-drained |
Summer |
Perennial, but store corm indoors over winter;
protect from wind |
Hardy fuchsia Fuchsia
riccartoni |
Sun in morning; shade in afternoon |
Moist; well-drained |
Summer, fall |
Not hardy in Nebraska; grow in a container and
bring indoors in winter. |
Hollyhock Alcea Rosea (Althaea
rosa) |
Sun |
Moist; well-drained |
Summer, fall |
Biennial. Self-sows; maintains single flower
type |
Honeysuckle Trumpet Lonicera
sempervirens and hybrids such as Brown's honeysuckle. |
Sun to shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Spring; sparsely thereafter |
Perennial vine. |
Hosta Hosta spp. |
Semi-shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Early summer to late summer |
Herbaceous perennial. |
Moss pink Phlox subulata |
Full sun |
Moist; well-drained |
Early spring |
Herbaceous perennial. |
Nasturtium Tropaeolum spp. |
Sun; avoid hot sites |
Dry, low N soils |
Summer, fall |
Annual. |
Penstemon Penstemon gloxinoides and
other species |
Sun |
Dry; well-drained |
Spring to summer |
Herbaceous perennial. |
Petunia Petunia × hybrida |
Full sun |
Well-drained |
Summer to frost |
Annual. |
Salvia or sage (red and others) Salvia
splendens and others |
Sun to light shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Spring to frost |
Annual to herbaceous perennial. Tolerates some
moisture stress, but with reduced flowering. |
Flowering tobacco Nicotiana
alata |
Full sun to partial shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Summer, fall |
Annual. |
Scarlet runner pole bean Phaseolus
coccineus |
Sun |
Well-drained |
Summer |
Annual vine. |
Scarlet trumpet creeper Campsis
radicans |
Sun |
Well-drained |
Summer |
Annual vine. |
Wild blue phlox Phlox
divaricata |
Shade |
Moist; well-drained |
Spring |
Herbaceous perennial. |
Zinnias Zinnia elegans |
Full sun |
Well-drained |
Summer, fall |
Annual. |
-
J.V. Dennis. Summer Bird Feeding (The Audubon Workshop, Inc.:
Northbrook, IL, 1988),
-
136 pp.
-
P.R. Ehrlich, D.S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye, The Birder's
Handbook (Simon &
Schuster Inc.:
-
1988), New York. 785 pp.
-
C.L. Henderson. Landscaping for Wildlife (State of Minnesota,
Department of Natural
-
Resources, 1987), 145 pp. Available
from Minnesota's Bookstore, St. Paul, MN 55155 (phone toll-free
800-657-3757) and from some local bird products stores.
-
C.L. Henderson. Wild About Birds, The DNR Bird Feeding Guide
(St. Paul: Minnesota
-
Department of Natural Resources,
1995), 278 pp. Available from Minnesota's Bookstore, St. Paul, MN 55155
(phone toll-free 800-657-3757) and from some local bird products stores.
-
P.A. Johnsgard. Hummingbirds of North America. (Smithsonian
Institution Press: Washington,
-
DC, 1983), 303 pp.
-
D. Stokes and L. Stokes. The Hummingbird Book; The Complete
Guide to Attracting,
-
Identifying, and Enjoying
Hummingbirds (Little, Brown and Company:
Boston, 1989), 89 pp.
-
E.D. Stukel, D.C. Backlund, M.E.
Hachmeister, and T. Wright.
Sharing Your Space, A
-
Homeowner's Guide to Attracting
Backyard Wildlife. (South Dakota Department
of Game, Fish and Parks, Wildlife Division: Pierre, SD, 1995), Wildlife
Division Report No. 95-12. 111 pp.
Woodside Gardens PO Box 1012 Port Jervis, NY
12771 ca@msbl.com e-mail |
Last Updated:
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HummerDome-8 oz
Description:
Constructed of super-tough polycarbonate with sold brass fittings, the HummerDome can stand up to years of abuse, is UV resistant, and can be easily cleaned in your dishwasher. This feeder can be used with any type seed, fruit, bread-crumbs, mealworms, and/or just about every type of nectar available. Attracts birds year round and is easy to fill and clean. Comes with cleaning brush. Polycarbonate dome, built-in ant guard, leak proof, and bee proof. Generous 8 oz capacity.
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Hummerfest Hummingbird Feeder-12 oz.
Description:
The 12 oz. Hummerfest Hummingbird Feeder is a complete feeder kit designed to complement the backyard of any nature enthusiast. Made of a dishwasher safe, high-impact polycarbonate, the 12 oz. Hummerfest with built-in ant moat. Lifetime Guarantee.
Dimensions: 8-3/4" W x 8" H
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Hummerfest Hummingbird Feeder-8 oz.
Description:
The 8 oz. Hummerfest Hummingbird Feeder is a complete feeder kit designed to complement the backyard of any nature enthusiast. Made of a dishwasher safe, high-impact polycarbonate, the 8 oz. Hummerfest with built-in ant moat and rain deflectors, also comes with a post cleaning brush and a post mount ant moat. Lifetime Guarantee.
Dimensions: 8-3/4" W x 8" H
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Nectar Pot
Description:
Comes with 3 interchangable colored knobs to identify which nectar is stored. Heat it, pour it, and store it. 2 liter.
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Window-Mount Hummingbird Feeder-16 oz.
Description:
Molded from durable poly-carbonate. Includes built-in ant moat, window bracket and feeder. Can be used as a window seed feeder when not dispensing nectar. Comes with a one year warranty.
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Hummingbird House
The Hummingbird House*
kit includes instructions, plus a small bundle of natural cotton for the
mom-to-be hummer to gather material from to use in building her
nest. When you observe her taking fluffs of cotton, you
know her nest building is in progress.
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Perky Pet Brand - Hummingbird Feeder Pinch Waist 210P
8-ounce capacity; bee guards; without perches. $11.49
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Perky Pet Brand Hummingbird Feeder 8oz Glass 203-C
8-ounce capacity; bee guards; without perches. $11.49
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Perky Pet Brand Hummingbird Feeder Our Best P209
"Our
Best"Perky
Pet's "best" feeder, hardened glass bottle, shatter proof, 30-ounce.
$17.95
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Perky Pet Brand Hummingbird Feeders Planter 215 Planter
FeederPerfect for planter boxes or hanging baskets.
$5.95
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Perky Pet Brand Window Hummingbird Feeder Easy to clean wide-mouth design Attaches to window, wall or post for an exciting way to watch hummingbirds feed. 8 oz. capacity, 2 feeding stations & perches.
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Perky Pet's Hummingbird Feeder 8oz Glass 203-CP
8-ounce capacity; bee guards; 4-way perch. $12.49
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Perky Pets Brand Hummingbird Feeders Grand Master 220 "Grand Master"48-ounce capacity; 6 feeding flowers and perches. $24.95
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