#49 Self-Imposed Quarantine

                It is day 28 of our self-imposed quarantine. Our hats are off to the healthcare workers and all other essential workers who risk their health every day. We are doing our part to stay safe so we don’t require their services. And, while we are staying safe, we are trying to take care of the native wildlife in our little piece of the world.

Filling the Feeders

                The other day, the madman filled the hummingbird feeders and hung them in the back and at the treehouse. Last year our first sighting was at the end of the month, April 28 actually. So, what’s the rush – after all hummingbirds aren’t peas. We follow the progress of hummingbirds through Journey North and a fellow watcher in Plymouth, Mass. reported the first sighting on April 9 so we figured it was time because we don’t want a hummer to be passing through and not see our offering.

                The hummingbird is actually a fascinating creature. The only species that breeds here in Connecticut is the Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Ruby-throats fly south for the winter, spending their time in Mexico and Central America. When the weather warms up in spring these birds work their way north following the blooms of certain plants.

Impressive Travels

                Early in their journey north, they have to cross the Gulf of Mexico, some 500 miles across. Incredibly the crossing is done in one flight lasting 18-22 hours. Before the flight, they gobble up spiders and insects for the energy to make the trip. Once on the gulf shores of the United States, they dine on nectar from their favorite tubular flowers. But, like us, they can’t live on sugar alone so they add protein to their diet by eating more bugs and spiders.

Heading North

                As spring moves north, so do the hummingbirds – heading to their breeding grounds which may be as far north as southern Canada. Because hummingbirds are a solitary species, they don’t migrate in flocks like the Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). In fact, in their winter homes, they don’t even hang around together like the Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). Males start the migration first with the females following a couple of weeks later. Migration of the species takes place over a three-month period since each hummer leaves when the urge hits.

                Most Ruby throats return to the same area every year. They prefer to nest in oaks, maples, hemlock, pine and spruce. The madman’s observations have led him to believe that the hemlock is their preferred tree in our area. Luckily, we have plenty of hemlocks both at home and at the lake.

Hummingbird Nests

                The madman has never seen a hummingbird nest. They are small, about the size of a walnut, located on branch tips between 5-20 ft. above ground. The female makes the nest out of thistle, milkweed and dandelion down, along with young leaves and mosses. Mom uses pine resin to mount the nest to the branches.

                Ruby throats are extremely territorial, and when you see hummingbirds chase each other in your garden they are not playing. We humans may be entertained by this, but to the hummingbirds this is serious business. The madman has even noticed hummingbirds acting aggressively to other bird species. Territory is important to these guys.

Deals in Nature

                An exception to this is the arrangement the hummingbird has with the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). This medium-sized woodpecker drills neat rows of shallow holes in tree bark to get at the sap which eventually attracts insects. The sapsuckers usually work three trees at the same time, leaving two unprotected while tapping the third. Other birds visit the unprotected trees to steal the saps of the sapsuckers’ labor. Enter the Ruby-throated hummingbird who thinks the holes were made for him and will fend off all birds except the sapsucker. While feeding on these holes, the hummingbird takes very little food, leaving behind plenty for the sapsucker – symbiosis at its best.

A Subject of Observation

                The madman has always liked the hummingbird – we have always fed them and noticed them flitting in the garden beds. But his fascination grew after we took the Master Gardener course. Upon the suggestion of Pamm Cooper, one of the instructors in the program, the madman has spent time observing the hummers. Luckily, they seem most active at cooking time at the Lake when he is busy at the grill and can watch their antics.

Small But Fast

                The Ruby-throated hummingbird really doesn’t need a description – you all know what he looks like. Only the male has the bright red throat, but both sexes have the iridescent green feathers. They average 3 ½ “ in length and weigh in at 1/8 oz. These hummers can beat their wings between 40-80 times per second, propelling them around at 30 mph, but up to 50 mph if they need the extra speed. But what we find interesting is their ability to go from full speed to hover speed in the blink of an eye. More than that, they can move up, down and even backwards with no effort.

                Our hummers have become quickly used to us and often buzz in to see what we are doing in the garden. During the summer, they watch as the madman refills the feeder. When he backs off, they quickly dart in to grab a drink. Contrary to what we first thought, the hummingbird doesn’t use his beak as a straw. Instead, he extends his forked tongue to lap up the nectar. With a little patience you can get close enough to observe this for yourself.

Feeding the Hummers

                Hummingbird feeders come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Most have prominent red features to attract the hummingbirds. Although not based in exact science, it appears that red flowers have sweeter nectar. Hummingbirds are no dummies, they like sweet. So, the madman says, don’t expect to find a lot of hummingbirds in a night garden.

Responsibility

               If you choose to feed the hummingbirds, you must accept a certain amount of responsibility. Keep the feeders full. Keep the feeders clean. Mixing the nectar is easy – the madman mixes ¼ cup of sugar to 1 cup of boiling water. As soon as this mixture nears room temperature, it’s ready to go into the feeder. No coloring is needed and, actually, has the potential to cause harm. Because out in the sun a sugar solution will ferment quickly, make sure you replace the solution regularly. If it turns cloudy, it has to go.

                Remember, the birds don’t rely solely on the feeder for food. They still need bugs for protein and in the real world nothing ever replaces the nectar of red flowers. So, make sure you supplement your feeders with red flowers in the garden. The madman’s favorite red flowers at this point in time happen to be the red zinnia, and the small red-orange morning glories. These are among the seeds he has already started indoors under the lights.

Eyes on the Lookout

                With the hummingbird feeders up, the madman has two important things to look for on a daily basis – hummingbirds and the mailman with his soil sample results. Hold it! The mailman just brought the letter from the UConn Soil Analysis Lab. Reading material for the hot chocolate.

                Stay home. Stay safe.