After their long journey from southern Mexico or western Panama the hummers have made their way up through the mid and eastern parts of the United States and into Canada.  They have been spotted on the eastern side of Quebec, near Toronto and Ottawa and some have continued as far north as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  Did you know that most hummingbirds will migrate to the same spot every spring?

I have to tell you that the first ruby-throated hummer of the season I saw was on April 30th, precisely the same day that I saw him last year.  Maybe, I was looking harder that day, too!

Here are two more interesting facts about hummingbirds:
1.  Ruby-throated hummingbirds are 3 – 3 3/4 inches long with a wingspan of 4 – 4 3/4 inches.
2.  Hummingbirds are very intelligent.  From one year to the next they can remember places and individual people (How do they know that?).

I hope you have your hummingbird feeder cleaned, filled and out for the hummers.  After their long spring journey back to their favorite spot they will certainly need the nourishment.

Visit my other posts for more information on Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Spring 2010 North American Migration and Prepare Your Hummingbird Feeder For The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

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One thing that I have found interesting this year is that the ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating farther west into areas of central Texas.  It will be fun to see exactly how far west they will venture.

In early spring, a fascinating event to watch is the ruby-throated hummingbirds migration route around the Allegheny Mountains.  You will notice the vacant areas in southwestern Virginia, eastern West Virginia, north-central Pennsylvania and western Maryland as they seem to avoid the Allegheny Mountains.  It usually takes a week or two for them to fill in this region.  See if you notice this happening this year.

Here are two interesting facts about the ruby-throated hummingbird that you can use to impress everyone at your next party:
1.  The hummingbird’s heart rate can get up to 1260 beats per minute.
2.  The hummingbird has the largest brain, percentage wise in relationship to total body weight-4.2% of all birds

Keep an eye out for your first ruby-throated hummingbird this spring.  Your hummingbird feeder should be out and ready.  They will soon be reaching your area if they haven’t already.  The ruby-throated hummingbirds will appreciate the nourishment after their long trip from Mexico or Panama.

Visit my other posts for more information on Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Spring 2010 North American Migration and Prepare Your Hummingbird Feeder For The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

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In my last post I wrote about the ruby-throated hummingbird’s spring 2010 North American migration. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only type of hummers found in the eastern United States.

A hummingbird feeder is a great way to attract the ruby-throated hummingbird. The hummingbirds are drawn to the color red, so this is a good color of feeder to purchase. Avoid a feeder with yellow on it because yellow attracts bees. When selecting a hummingbird feeder, look for one that has a basin because they are easier to clean than the inverted bottle type. Since the hummingbirds are very territorial purchasing several feeders will lessen the chance of fighting. This will give you more opportunities to spot the ruby-throated hummingbird at your bird feeder.

The ruby-throated hummingbird has a long bill and drinks nectar by rapidly sticking their forked tongue in and out. The nectar provides the fuel that they need to keep up their rapid pace.

To make your own nectar for your bird feeder mix one part sugar with four parts water. If you find that you are attracting bees you can dilute the mixture with a little more water. Don’t add red food coloring or honey to the mixture because these are not good for the hummingbirds.

If possible hang the feeder out of direct sunlight to keep the solution from fermenting. Keep the feeder away from windows to prevent hummingbirds from flying into them. Placing your hummingbird feeder near flowers will help to attract hummers to your bird feeder.

It is very important to change the mixture often, especially when the weather is hot. Clean the feeder carefully each time you change the solution. If the solution is cloudy it has already spoiled and you should replace it immediately.

The ruby-throated hummingbird eats insects to supply the protein that they require. If you put out fruit or banana peels they will attract flies near the feeder, then hummers will eat the flies and discover your feeder.

Ants are a nuisance at the hummingbird feeder. Ants will crawl down to the hummingbird feeder if you don’t do something to stop them. One thing you can do is to purchase an ant moat that can be hung above the feeder. A do-it-yourself idea is to take a plastic cap, put a hole in it and thread a wire through it. Close the hole with silicone sealant. Then keep the moat filled with water to stop the ants from crawling down to the feeder.

By following these simple guidelines you will be enjoying healthy hummingbirds at your bird feeder for another great season.

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There are many details of the hummingbird migration that are not known.  Relatively few are banded each year and even fewer are recaptured to provide some information of that bird’s activity. Until the technology will allow very small, lightweight transmitters it is unlikely that enough data can be collected to fill in the unknowns.

What is known is that the ruby-throated hummingbirds that spend their winter in southern Mexico or western Panama have begun their northward migration.  To successfully migrate the birds must double their weight to fuel the long journey ahead. Some of the birds will be migrating up to 2500 miles including a 500 mile, 20 hour trip across the Gulf of Mexico. Some ruby-throated hummingbirds will choose the longer, but less difficult, trip along Eastern Mexico into Texas and then migrate up the United States from there.

The males begin the migration first with the females following approximately a week and a half behind. Their migration is spread over two or three months.

After they arrive in Eastern Texas or southern Florida they travel as far north as Nova Scotia, Labrador, New Brunswick or as far west as Minnesota into Manitoba , Saskatchewan and  Alberta.  They may move up to 20 miles per day, depending on the weather and availability of insects and plant nectar. There is evidence that an individual hummingbird will take the same migration route and return to the same place each year.

You can watch the migration and report the first sighting at your bird feeder here: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

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