Hummingbirds: Miniature Beauties

By D.S. Culp

Oklahoma Hummingbirds

The Black-chinned hummingbird is the most common hummer species in the Western United States and adds its graces to the state of Oklahoma. It and the Ruby-throated hummingbird are both in the same genus, Archilochus, and the only two species that nest in the state. In proportion to body size, the hummingbird  heart is the largest in the world.  When resting it beats roughly 500 times a minute and when in full flight it jumps to 1,200 times a minute (20 beats a second).

The sparkling ruby throat is definitely the predominant hummer in Oklahoma and not only tolerates but is quite accepting of  the human species. With their diminutive wings beating nearly 80 times a second they can hover in one place like a helicopter, fly backwards, and zoom along at 20-30 miles per hour  upside-down. Their hardiness and delicate beauty cause the hardest of souls to soften in their presence. 

The nests will hold a clutch of two tiny pea sized eggs for a couple of weeks until hatching. ~Twenty five days later the young fledglings depart from the nest.

There is a false, well spread rumor, that you must have bright red or orange flowers to attract hummers. My garden is, and always has been, full of pink, purple and white flowers- all of which regularly receive hummers. They do like tubular flowers such as trumpet vines and petunias but also spend a lot of time at my geraniums. They also enjoy sugar water feeders, kept meticulously cleaned and fresh.

Feeders can impact the number of hummers that survive a hot dry Oklahoma summer.  Remember that sugar water will quickly ferment and grow mold in the summer heat. Try to place the feeder in the shade, keep it clean and replace the food every one or two days during the dog days of summer.

Hummingbirds are found only in the western hemisphere. Europeans do not experience the ethereal pleasure of a hummer in flight. The ruby throated hummer wanders  from southern Canada to the Gulf states and winters over (where insects can be found) along the southern U.S. coast down to western Panama.

Seattle Hummingbirds

Winter in the Seattle area offers the opportunity to aid and succor one of nature’s marvels; the hummingbird. Unaware that Anna’s hummers winter over, many people miss out on one of the joys of the long drizzly gray season. The darlings are here, but you must provide them with a reason to show themselves.

Place hummingbird feeders near the home and sheltered from the elements. Locate the feeders so they’re visible from inside. Hummers at a feeder outside my window keep me entertained throughout long days at the computer. In constant view it’s also easy to keep a close watch on the feeder level. The little creatures consume tremendous amounts of feeder food in the winter. With few flowers blooming or insects flying about, feeders supplement the hummer’s meager winter diet.

Clean the feeders with hot water and refill every few days. Mix one part sugar to four parts water. Bring to a low boil (I use the microwave) to dissolve the sugar, kill off nasty organisms and prevent mold growth. Be sure to let the solution cool down before rehanging the feeders. You don’t want to burn their little tongues! Yes they do have tongues in those cute little beaks.  Making up a large batch of solution and storing it in the fridge saves a lot of time while keeping food always ready to go.

Hummers get very impatient if their feeder is down for very long. On freezing mornings they enjoy the food warmed up abit. Think of it as warming up a baby’s formula. The sugar in the water prevents freezing unless the temperatures really drop, but warming the solution helps raise their fragile little bodies’ temperatures.

If the feeders run dry, be prepared for aggressive miniature beauties. They’ll hover at the window scolding you. If you venture outside they may fly around your head, then face you down eye to eye with a guilt-inducing stare. Remember, they devour the feeder food much faster in the winter than in summer when more dining choices are available.

Two or more feeders help prevent territorial competition which can be quite intense. Placing them so one particularly possessive fellow can’t see them all at once, eliminates his ability to guard them. Nearby trees and scrubs provide perching spots and insects to feed upon.

Winter flowers lift your spirits and provide hummers with nectar for additional nourishment. I’ve watched them visit hellebores, snowdrops, winter pansies, crocus, and the early blooming miniature iris. With this past mild winter they feasted on sporadic blooms of azaleas and rhodies.

Hummingbirds love water for drinking, bathing, and playing. A bird bath (whose water will freeze) attracts them to do all these things. Once the threat of freezing temperatures passes, a gurgling fountain will send them into states of ecstasy.

The over wintering Anna’s have become quite tame and do not seem to mind my puttering about in the plants beneath them. Visitors get within a foot of the little guys by the front door. Even people uninterested in “birds” find them to be irresistible.

In late February the Black Chinned hummingbirds arrived and joined the Anna’s at the feeders. Much shyer, they disappear if you move too quickly. I’m wondering where the Rufous are and expect them to show up at any moment. Migrating hummers remember areas of quality food supply and return each year. Since hummers live an average of ten years, many become old friends (and more tame) as they return year after year.