Hummingbird migration: what to remember as you put your feeders out

While spending time outdoors, in your own backyard-more than ever, try feeding Hummingbirds- you’ll be charmed!

Spring is here and that means many bird species will be returning to the area.

As you get those hummingbird feeders ready, here are a few things to keep in mind for the warmer months.

The hummingbirds of the east coast are the ruby throat hummingbirds and they migrate south during the winter, just like most of our bird species. We’re not talking just to Florida; these hummingbirds travel as far as Central and South America, back to the tropical zones in which they are native.

In the spring, as the birds return north, the bird and hummingbird feeders you put out become an important source of food and rest for them.

Olsen-Hodges says that, “We know that the feeders are working because the hummingbird population has not declined.”

Weather also plays a role in migration, but also can come into play when non-native birds end up in an area they aren’t typically seen. It’s a long journey from Central and South America. If there are storms in the Gulf of Mexico, that can slow down the migration and tire out the little birds more.

With the recent cold spells and even snow in mid-April, that poses a threat to migrating birds by limiting their food source of insects and bugs.

So how can you help?

Basically, it comes down to putting out bird feeders, but also most important: keeping the feeders clean.

If a bird infected with a disease comes to eat at your bird feeder, it can spread that to other birds who eat from the same feeder. The risk is greater when the bird feeder isn’t cleaned often or properly.

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS:

There is no need to add red dye. The dye can end up harming the bird, and the red on the feeder is enough for them to see it. Olsen-Hodges also says to “use regular white sugar, do not use organic. They can contain other minerals that might be good for us, but can be harmful to the birds.”

Use the recipe of 1/4 c. white sugar to 1 cup water, boil until the sugar dissolves, and then fully cool.

You should be cleaning these feeders every 3-5 days. The more often you clean, the better especially as the temperatures warm up. Because sugar is used, bacteria can grow easily.

The recommendation is to clean with a vinegar solution, let it sit and then rinse thoroughly. The more often you clean, the easier it will be.