Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Friday, April 16, 2010

Hummingbirds Come Home


One of our visitors from last year-a bit blurry, but you get the picture!

If you live in the Midwest like I do, it's almost time for the return of one of my favorite critters...the hummingbird. Our feeders have been cleaned and filled, waiting to lure in the exhausted and hungry travelers. Amazingly these tiny birds generally migrate clear to Mexico where they spend the cold winter months. Then they travel back to our area in early spring. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the species that populate our back yard, zooming around like tiny jet fighters.

And fighters is the perfect description for them. They're quite territorial and will chase away other hummingbirds to claim an area. More than one feeder is always a good idea.

If you'd like to see these amazing critters in action, get your feeders out now! You don't need to buy the fancy red stuff to fill them, either. A simple recipe to use is one part white sugar, four parts water. No need to add red food coloring, as most feeders already carry the attractive red color. Clean feeders and put in new solution every few days to discourage growth of bacteria.

Consider creating a hummer-friendly yard. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation hummers love mimosa, cardinal flower, salvia, hollyhock, trumpet creeper, and a host of other colorful nectar-producing flowers. As an added bonus, this can attract butterflies, too.

I'm looking forward to seeing my little buddies again.

So is my little window-watcher, Bogey!

17 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I remember waiting, anxiously, for the hummers to return, too.

BECKY said...

Hey Pat! Don't mind the "blurry" photo one bit. In fact, how can at least those little wings NOT be blurry?! I love hummingbirds, too. They are precious!

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the reminder.
Yesterday I thought I sas a hummingbird flitting around the lilac bushes, but it was a fat bumblebee.
Did you see the lovely double rainbow last night?
Donna

Lynn said...

Thanks for the reminder to get out the hummingbird feeder although I think I have enough plants in the yard to attract them! The are cool little creatures.

Two French Bulldogs said...

those little things dive at our heads when we sit outside... teas!
Benny & Lily

marley said...

Hum hum hum hum Huuuuuuuum....see, doggies do it too. Ello Pat. Woof.

Bandit's Pack said...

We get hummingbirds here, too. I haven't put a feeder out in years. I'm happy to know red food coloring isn't necessary.

The Word Place said...

Ah, bird-watching time for Bogey again...safe enough for the hummers since he's behind a pane of glass and has to play nice. I've seen one or two here already, but I don't have a feeder. Might have to think about one.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I'm always on the lookout for the first one because the clan is not far behind.

the booker man said...

oh, lookie at that teeny tiny little birdie! i've never seen a hummingbirdie before...so pretty! i'm gonna have to go ask my mama to get a feeder cuz i wanna see one in my backyard!
*woof*
the booker man

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

My Auntie Di loves to watch hers in Phoenix...

AND The Doggy Nanny gave Fred one fur his birthday!

Enjoy!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Hummingbirds are quite pretty!

Unknown said...

These little beauties have always fascinated me!

Ryker said...

Mom says we get hummmmmy birds here too. She said we should get a feeder and see if they will come visit us at in our yard!

Ann Summerville said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Summerville said...

Thanks for the tips. Now it's a little warmer, I've put out a beautiful feeder that I received as a Christmas present.
Ann
Ann Summerville
Cozy In Texas

ocmist said...

Yep, our hummers are back and feasting! We LOVE to watch them zoom around, but I hate it when they zoom to close to my head because they sound like HUGE bumblebees... makes me shiver!