Attracting Hummingbirds: Small, Gentle, Colorful Pollinators!
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Small, Gentle, Colorful Pollinators Attracting hummingbirds invites pollinators to your garden. They are small, agile, quiet, brave, colorful pollinators that are gentle on crops and domestic animals. They have almost worldwide acceptance among humans. When attracting hummingbirds, remember also to protect them!
Background There are about 340 hummingbird species. They can weigh from .06 to 0.85 ounces, and measure from two to 8.5 inches. The Rufous are what we normally see around in the North Americas. They weigh about 0.106 ounces and are about 3-1/2 to 5” long. Attracting them with passable shelter and accessible feeders will help these birds endure temperatures below freezing. Migratory hummingbirds store their fat to double their size to help them with flying time. They have been known to live as long as 17 years. Hummingbird Diet These pollinators are attracted to flowers with nectar that has about 25% sugar content and high in sucrose. Since nectar is insufficient for their nutrition, hummingbirds are likewise attracted to insects and spiders. They frequently drink nectar and feed on insects in small quantities daily, up to more than their body weight. When necessary, they enter into a dormant-like state, decelerating their metabolism and thus their need for food. Hummingbirds as Pollinators Attract hummingbirds by cultivating plants that produce bright pink, orange, and red flowers. They lick the flower’s nectar by inserting their beak into it. The pollen that sticks to the beak is then carried to the pistils of other flowers. Hummingbirds are either long-beaked or short-beaked. They are usually attracted to flowers that conform with the length of their beaks. Since the best of the nectar is at the bottom of the floral tubes, the short-beaked ones that would try a long floral tube will not be able to mine that nectar concentration. The Rufous, being migratory from Alaska to Mexico, are determined to be the number one pollinator of all the species, as they pollinate plants during their entire journey. Ornamental Plants Along with a pesticide-free environment, attract hummingbirds with ornamental plants like the scarlet bee balm, begonias, red columbines, red morning glories, hollyhocks, orange honeysuckle, fuchsias, azaleas, eucalyptus, etc. If you have limited space, attract hummingbirds with smaller plants in pots. Plant those varieties that bloom throughout the time that these pollinators are around. You can also attract them by providing artificial feeders nearby to supplement their energy source when flower blossoms are scanty. When blossoms are in abundance, they may ignore your feeder. If you want to attract migrating hummingbirds, leave your feeders for about two weeks longer after you have seen your last hummingbird. Keep those feeders clean and the nectar fresh. Feeders Attract hummingbirds with artificial nectar. Dissolve in boiling water one part of white granulated sugar to four parts of water. Allow the nectar to cool before pouring it into the feeder. Protect the hummingbirds’ health by using plain water and white granulated sugar only. The nectar is considered safe for two to four days. Do not fill your feeder more than half full, as you have to clean it and replace the nectar every three days or oftener during hot weather. Soak the feeder in a solution of water and vinegar, or flush it with hot tap water, and scrub with a brush. It is not recommended to use harsh chemical or soap to clean the feeder. If you do, rinse it very well to eliminate chemical or soap residues. Discourage ants and bees by installing guards if they do not come built in with your feeder. Attracting hummingbirds is joyful, and as convenient as going online or at specialty stores.
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