Hummingbirds have started their fall migration which are most active from August through November. Early to mid-September, Texas has the highest number of migrating hummingbirds passing through, building energy resources for the long journey to Mexico (image courtesy: www.audubon.org).
By: John Green- Certified Texas Expert Gardener, Orange, TX
Last week we experienced slightly cooler weather conditions (a taste of autumn)…now a memory, as summer has clearly returned! Rainfall has been insignificant the past week, and the local extended weather predictions are not promising. Most of SETX areas are experiencing rainfall deficits which are increasing as summer persists. Plants, shrubs, and trees require supplemental watering to have enough moisture available for survival. Hanging baskets, potted plants, and large planters often require supplemental watering twice daily. Autumn will eventually arrive, but until it does (if you’re like me) you’ll continue dragging garden hoses around to deliver thirty plants a refreshing drink as often as needed!
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures to watch, as they can literally hoover in one place one moment, then dart through the air flying lightning fast, similar in speed to the Road Runner in the Wile E. Coyote cartoon series better known as the “The Road Runner Show” which was a cartoon series some of you will remember.
Did You Know- a “flock” of hummingbirds is known as a charm which is the most accepted term for these colorful, diminutive birds but there are other poetic collective nouns which include a bouquet, a shimmer, a glittering, or a hover.
We can make our gardens ready for them as they pass through. Hummingbirds need places to rest along their migration route. SETX is one of their last stops along their Southern route. These miniature; ornamented creatures will begin a migratory non-stop flight pattern which takes them across the Gulf of Mexico to reach a southern shore. They will fly approximately 500 miles (continuously) until they reach their southern destination. This is roughly 22 hours or more of flying to reach their destination, and they will follow the same migratory path again in Spring.
Let’s provide some much needed assistance to these weary little travelers by providing them with nourishment to make the long-distance journey by adding places where they can perch and rest while they build up the resources needed. Gardeners can provide feeders with nectar for them to drink but must ensure they are clean and free from harmful mold and bacteria. Feeders must be cleaned and disinfected frequently with fresh nectar provided for them every 3 to 4 days. Black mold is harmful to hummingbirds. Some people prefer to purchase hummingbird food (nectar), but care must be taken to ensure it is safe for them. If you choose to make nectar, never add red dye as this is harmful to them. A fresh water supply is necessary, and hummingbirds enjoy running water in fountains or misters in bird baths.
Gardeners can prepare for the hummingbird migration by positioning and maintaining clean feeders filled with a 1:4 ratio sugar-to-water to create a solution known as nectar and positioning them away from direct sunlight to prevent spoilage. Nectar producing plants which are loved by hummingbirds often are plants which have vivid blooms, with tubular, nectar-rich flowers in colors of red, orange, and pink, but they will visit other flower colors as well. Planting flowers with a variety of shapes, such as funnel or trumpet-like blooms, can provide a consistent supply of food throughout the season and will attract hummingbirds. Additionally, providing a clean water source such as bird bath is an irresistible invitation to these weary, long distance travelers. Gardeners will need to curtail pesticide use to allow for increased insect availability will enhance the likelihood of hummingbird visitors, who consume insects which are a vital protein source. Lastly, providing nest protection by way of an unpruned, thorny shrub can provide convenient accommodations.
Use the following guideline to provide aid to feathered, weary, long distance travelers as they trek across Texas heading South:
Feeders
- Advance Placement– Set up feeders several weeks prior to the expected arrival of
hummingbirds in your region to offer a food source for early arrivals.
- Nectar ratio– Mix one part pure, white cane sugar with four parts boiled water to create
safe, bacteria-free nectar.
- No Additives– Never use red food coloring, artificial sweeteners, honey, or other
additives.
- Nectar Volume– Ensure feeders are filled to volume with nectar to have food available for
migrating birds to build energy levels.
- Exhausted Stragglers- feeders should in remain place up to two weeks after you witness the last hummingbird of the season to provide a critical food source for any ‘stragglers’ that may be passing through late!
- Winter Visitors– some hummingbird species and miscreants may choose to overwinter in Texas. If you see hummingbirds later in the season, continue to provide a clean and reliable food source and fresh water.
Maintenance
- Clean and Maintain– Feeders must be cleaned every 2 to 3 days to reduce the risk of mold and bacteria. Frequent cleaning is necessary during to keep nectar fresh and safe. Mold can build up quickly in warm weather and can be deadly to hummingbirds.
- Wash Feeders- disassemble the feeder and wash with hot water, soapy water, scrubbing it thoroughly with a bottle brush.
- Sanitize Feeders- after washing the hummingbird feeder, use a bleach solution ratio of 1:9 (1-part bleach to 9-parts water) to disinfect the feeder. Thoroughly rinse the feeder several times to ensure no soap or bleach residue remains. Allow to completely air dry before adding nectar.
Placement
- Strategic Placement– shaded areas are the perfect location for feeders to reduce the rate
of nectar spoilage.
- Remain in Place– allow feeders to remain in place during the fall migration to assist birds
needing “fuel stops” while heading South.
- Reduce window strikes– place feeders far from windows and apply window decals to prevent birds from flying into them. Everyone enjoys witnessing hummingbirds ‘buzzing’ around and feeding but not at the expense of the bird!
Habitat
- Nectar-rich flowers– hummingbirds are attracted and feed on nectar-rich flowers such as Salvia, Bee Balm, Trumpet Vine, Fuchsia, Honeysuckle, and Columbine to name a few.
- Plant Variety- can provide for a long season of nectar to attract and sustain hummingbirds in garden areas.
- Water Source– including clean, fresh water from a fountain or bird bath will support
hummingbird’s hydration needs and provides an area for bathing. A shallow birdbath with rocks or a mister (solar powered) works well and will meet their daily needs.
- Pest Control– stopping pesticide use is often challenging for some SETX gardeners; avoid using pesticides which curtail insect populations which are needed by hummingbirds as sources of protein.
- Encourage insects– female hummingbirds and their young need insects and spiders for protein.
- Protective Sites– cultivate a few thorny shrubs to attract hummingbirds such as firethorn
(Pyracantha), Texas red yucca, and native Aelia (Iselia) species as these plants feature horns along with nectar-rich, tubular flowers.
- Other options- while not thorny, there are other shrubs hummingbirds find alluring which
provide shelter such as butterfly bush (Buddleia), weigela, trumpet honeysuckle, and chaste tree (Vitex).
- No Pruning- allow shrubs to remain unpruned, as hummingbirds prefer them for
protection and nesting.
There are other brightly colored flowering plants that attract hummingbirds including zinnias, coneflowers, Firebush, Cuphea, Salvias (Blue or Hot Lips), Red Shrimp plant, Red Firecracker Fern, and more. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website lists more varieties of flowers for hummingbirds at www.wildflower.org.
Remember that not all hummingbirds fly south for the winter. There have been accounts of a few Rufous (yellow/orange colored) hummingbirds who choose to hang around SETX for winters’ duration. My recommendation is to allow one feeder to remain in place for the entire year, changing the nectar every 4-5 days with fresh nectar. Who knows, the likelihood exists that on a cold, dreary Winters’ day, a brightly colored diminutive bird may surprise you with a visit to the much needed feeder; this is certain to brighten an otherwise underwhelming, drab and downcast day! For more information on how to help hummingbirds, visit the International Hummingbird Society website: www.hummingbirdsociety.org.
So long for now fellow gardeners! Let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener, more sustainable world, one plant at a time! Gardening questions answered: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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