San Marcos Record, San Marcos, TX

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  • Costa's hummingbird is one of 18 varieties found in Central Texas, many of which will be arriving this month.

    Costa's hummingbird

  • The calliope hummingbird

    The calliope hummingbird

  • The ruby-throated hummingbird

    The ruby-throated hummingbird
March 18, 2010

Return of the Hummers

Time to get feeders up; birds will be returning to Central Texas throughout March

By Jerry Hall Daily Record Columnist

San Marcos — It’s time to get your hummingbird feeders up.  While a few lucky folks have hosted over-wintering hummers, most of us will be seeing our first returning birds during this month.

I’ve already had reports of newly-arrived hummers from Woody Franke and Vic Fandrich of Wimberley.

I kept a sugar-water feeder up all winter and it was visited by golden-fronted woodpeckers and various finches – but nary a hummingbird.  As I write this, I have yet to see my first hummer of the season.  But it surely won’t be long.

I’m counting the days.

By the way, it is not uncommon for other birds to feed at sugar-water feeders; some 70 species have been documented visiting such feeders.  And, of course, bees and wasps are also attracted so it’s always good to have a feeder with guards to foil them.

Our most common hummingbird each spring is the black-chinned, but we’ll also have ruby-throated and rufous species around.  Since Texas has some 18 different varieties, including Anna’s, Costa’s, calliope, and green-breasted mango, you really never know what will show up.

Let’s review a few hummingbird basics:

Hummers have little or no sense of smell and color is what attracts them, red in particular.  Most all hummingbird feeders incorporate this color so there is no need to add red food coloring to your sugar-water.

The preferred ratio for the sugar-water mixture is four parts water to one part sugar. This is closest to the sucrose content of natural flower nectar.

Don’t use honey or molasses as a sweetener, only white table sugar.

Apply liquid laundry detergent with a paint brush to any surface ants may use to gain access to your feeder.  Don’t put it on the feeder itself.  Refresh several times the first day and after that, you need not apply again. This interferes with ants’ chemical navigation.  You can also use non-stick cooking spray on your hanger wires to deter ants.

If you see a hummer flying in a U-shaped pattern, this is the pendulum display that males often use to attract females.  A figure-eight pattern is also used.

Unlike many birds, hummers won’t use bird houses.  They collect plant fibers and spider webs to build a cup-shaped nest, generally located horizontally on a tree branch at least six feet off the ground.  Sometimes, lichens and small flowers are added to the outside of the nest.

I don’t know about you, but the return of hummingbirds is a highlight of the year for me.  I thoroughly enjoy the little rascals and it will be a joy to have them back. 

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