Outdoors Front Page
Autumn hummingbird feeding can pay dividends
Jim Low, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
09-14-2008
To feed, or not to feed? That is the question that troubles many people who feed hummingbirds as autumn approaches. The Missouri Department of Conservation says you can keep feeders out until winter without fear of hurting the tiny birds. Furthermore, late feeding offers one of the best chances of seeing hummingbird species seldom seen in the Show-Me State.
The only hummingbird species commonly seen in Missouri is the ruby-throated, Archilochus colubris. They begin arriving in the Show-Me State in April and linger until late September or early October, when they fly south to their winter homes. Some migrate along the Gulf Coast of Texas or Louisiana, while others fly (nonstop!) across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America.
One common misconception is that late feeding induces hummingbirds to remain in their summer haunts until cold weather catches them. This, according to Ornithologist Andy Forbes, is not true.
“Hummingbirds fly south in response to decreasing day length,” Forbes said. “They will leave at the right time whether you feed them or not.”
Forbes said leaving feeders out through November actually can help late-migrating rubythroats by providing refueling stations.
“Migration is an arduous journey, especially for young birds and those that are weakened or injured,” he said. “Those birds often lag behind the older, healthier birds. Having an abundant food source that doesn’t take much energy to find can be a big boost for birds that may weigh less than an eighth of an ounce.”
By Oct. 10, most have passed through Missouri. Stragglers may visit feeders later, however. Each year a few Missourians who leave nectar feeders out into November and December are treated to the sight of unusual hummingbird species.
The rufous hummingbird, a western species, occasionally is seen in Missouri later in migration. Some have even been known to stay into early winter. Other “accidental” species that have been seen in Missouri include green violetear, black-chinned, Anna’s, Calliope and broad-tailed hummingbirds.
Forbes said hummingbirds tend to fly south during the day and stop at evening to rest and eat. Consequently, most are seen around feeders early and late in the day during the fall migration season. It is not unusual for dozens of migrating hummers to mob feeders at locations where they have been fed consistently for many years.
A mixture of one part sugar to four or five parts water is suitable for hummingbird feeding. You don’t have to add artificial coloring to the water if the feeder has yellow or red on it. However, a garden with brightly colored flowers is a powerful advertisement to passing hummingbirds that your hummer filling station is open.
Forbes said the notion that adding honey makes nectar feeders more attractive or nutritious is mistaken. Honey spoils more quickly, and it grows a type of bacteria that is deadly to hummingbirds.
Unused nectar should be replaced every three or four days. If you find that the birds aren’t emptying the feeder in this amount of time, don’t fill it completely. Store premixed nectar in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. Keeping your feeder out of direct afternoon sunlight will help delay spoilage. If mildew forms inside the feeder, wash and sterilize it with a diluted bleach solution before refilling.
The Audubon Society of Missouri has a Wild Bird Forum where you can learn about unusual bird sightings. To subscribe to this service, visit http://www.mobirds.org/audubon/asmhtmls/mobirds1.html.
For general information about hummingbirds, visit http://www.hummingbirds.net/ or write to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or E-mail pubstaff@mdc.state.mo.us.
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