Page 10 - Discover SPRING 2022

Humming Along CONTINUED
will be several days before they can generate their
own body heat so that is another issue Mom must
deal with besides feeding them. By the 3rd day after
hatching, the chicks will have doubled in size. Their
mass will double again by the 5th day and again by
day 8; that is also about the same time they start
producing pinfeathers. They usually leave the nest 3
weeks after hatching and are full grown and capable
of immediately finding their own food. In Virginia,
hummingbirds will likely double brood. A female
will often have a second nest built and may even
lay eggs in it while still feeding her first brood. In
Florida they have been known to have as many as
3 broods. Weather permits only one brood in the
northern states.
Hummers do not use nesting boxes, so save
your money. They do nest in the forks formed by
tree branches and in bushes. They will nest from 3
feet to 60 or 90 feet off the ground. Females will
typically not nest in a male's feeding territory which
will include your yard if you have hung up a feeder.
Finding a hummingbird nest is rare as they are so
small and so well camouflaged they appear to be just
another bump on a branch. It is, by the way, illegal to
collect or possess hummingbirds' nests in the USA
and Canada. This law also applies to several other
species of birds. Although it is a mystery how such
a law could possibly be enforced. If you are lucky
enough to ever spot one of these marvels of nature
take a picture with your smart phone to show your
friends later and leave the nest alone. Also, don't do
any heavy trimming of trees during nesting season.
It's not good for either the tree or birds.
If you are feeding hummers for the first time and
need to attract them to your feeder a recipe of 1 cup
of sugar to 2 cups of water should do the trick. Use
white granulated sugar only. Heat the water and
sugar, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely
dissolved and the water has just started to boil.
Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature
before filling your feeder. A handful of ice dropped
in the nectar will speed the cooling process in case
you have a hungry hummer waiting outside your
window. Store unused nectar in your refrigerator. Do
not use brown sugar or honey or any type of artificial
sweeteners as they are all harmful to hummers. If
possible place your feeder in a location convenient to
your reach and your kitchen sink and out of the sun
so the nectar will stay fresh longer. Buy a feeder with
several feeding stations and perches so the birds can
8 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SPRING 2022
rest while they eat. A feeder with a water reservoir
in the cap is very effective in keeping ants out of the
nectar.
Although the female is larger than the male, you'll
find that a male hummer will soon be dominating
your feeder. At first you'll simply see him chasing
away other hummers as they come around. Then, if
you're patient and watch closely you'll see he actually
flies to a nearby tree or bush where he can perch
while he “protects” his food source. He will perch
there on a flimsy branch for several minutes, looking
for all the world like just another leaf, twisting his
head nervously from side to side stalking thieves who
try to fly in and steal a drink. Don't worry. Much
of the summer he will be so busy mating, fighting
other males and collecting nectar from flowers that
the other hummers will have ample opportunity to
enjoy at least a few sips of the nectar several times a
day. You'll also soon notice he's not nearly as nasty
to a few of the females as he is to other females and
fellow males. If things get too hectic and crowded at
the feeder, depending upon how much energy you
have, you may want to add a second feeder on the
opposite side of your house.
In the hotter months of summer the nectar
should be changed every couple of days and the
feeder thoroughly cleaned in hot water using a soft
toothbrush on the bee guards and a bottle brush for
the inside of the feeder itself. Of course, rinse the
feeder very well after cleaning, especially if you have
used commercial products. Once hummers have
found your feeder, which shouldn't take long, adjust
the nectar recipe to 4 cups of water to each cup of
sugar. You do not need to add food coloring or dye
to the sugar water. It is likely hummers can smell it
and besides, the feeder is colorful enough to attract
their attention. Artificial coloring might be harmful
to them. Also, do not over fill the feeder. It is better
to use less nectar and change it more frequently. Start
with no more than one cup. You'll soon learn how
much they will eat within a day or two.
Of course, having flowers of any kind in your
garden is a magnet to hummingbirds. They also
seem to like azalea bushes and blooming fruit and
ornamental trees and butterfly bushes. They find the
trumpet vine irresistible. Before you plant this vine,
however, be forewarned it is very invasive.
The ruby-throated hummers are the only breeding