Hummingbirds: Plan, attract, sit back and enjoy

By Stephanie Hughes

Ohio certified volunteer naturalist

It won’t be long until we get to greet one of nature’s most splendid wonders – the hummingbird. Ohio has one: the ruby-throated hummingbird, though sightings of the rufous hummingbird have changed birders’ thinking. Weighing less than a nickel, hummers have an important role in the garden both as pollinators and predators. They eat 1/3 to Ω of their body weight daily to fuel those high-energy bodies. They eat nectar, pollen and insects.

To successfully entice these show-stoppers, grow nectar-producing flowers and supplement their diets with sugar-solution feeders. These little birds love the color red, so most feeders have red highlights, and homemade solution is both economical and safer than bought. Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, and boil hard for five minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator. Thoroughly wash the feeder and add fresh food weekly. Never use red food coloring, honey or artificial sweeteners. Spacing the feeders far apart will quiet these territorial sweets-lovers, and place in the shade as well so food will not ferment.

If your feeder attracts ants, bees, hornets, or other unwanted guests, clean it thoroughly or use “bee guard” feeders.

Spring brings our beautiful feathered friends back to our area. I have used Mother’s Day and Labor Day as my begin/end dates each year, but I have had these incredible creatures come to my window as much as a week before Mother’s Day looking for their treat. If you see the rhododendrons blooming, you are sure to see a hummingbird!

Plan to attract more to your garden by supplementing your feeders with nectar-producing flowers to ensure a balanced diet for hummers. They love tubular shaped flowers best, but they’re not choosy. They also like red flowers, but will go to any color they can find. The insects and pollen in the nectar supplement their protein needs. Native species of flowers do best for our climate. Limit pesticide usage in your yard and garden that can harm all birds.

Plan ahead for the colorful and rewarding experience of seeing these beautiful and friendly birds in your yard. Many other birds may follow, and you will have delightful moments with nature for both fun and enjoyment.

For a list of preferred plants, see http://go.osu.edu/attracthummingbirds .