Categories
Hummingbirds

The Hummingbird’s Long Journey

The migration of a hummingbird can be quite lengthy.  The exact length of this journey will depend on which specific  species of hummingbird to which you are referring.  The Rufous Hummingbird is the hummingbird with the longest migratory journey, a whopping 3000 miles in length from Alaska to Mexico.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s journey is 500 miles non-stop each way across the Gulf of Mexico.  Isn’t it amazing how birds so small can make and survive a journey of such length?

Categories
Hummingbird Food

Never Use Honey in Hummingbird Feeders

Someone who was out of granulated table sugar asked me "can’t I just substitute diluted honey in the hummingbird feeder?   Absolutely not!  This is what has prompted me to write this post as an important reminder to those wanting to fill their hummingbird feeders.  Never put honey in your hummingbird feeders!  The honey can develop a fungus that is fatal to hummingbirds.

The only thing that should be used to make homemade nectar is white granulated table sugar.  This is because its chemical composition is closest to the sugar concentration found in flower nectar.  If a flowers nectar concentration is less than 15% the hummingbirds will pass the flowers by because the hummingbirds want the sugar concentration to be around 25%.

No other sugars should be used to make homemade nectar solution.  Please do not use the following: diluted brown sugar,molasses, or artificial sweeteners.  These things can’t provide the hummingbirds with the sugar concentrations necessary for the birds to survive.

 

Categories
Hummingbirds

When Do Hummingbirds Eat?

A hummingbird will eat for the first time that day about a half hour before the sun comes up.  The hummingbird will stop eating every day about a half hour after it is dark.  It may surprise you to discover that a hummingbird will eat 25% of its daily food intake within the first hour of awakening.  The hummingbird will also intake large amounts of food just before going to sleep to help ensure that they don’t starve to death before morning, which can occur in as little as two hours.

Categories
Hummingbirds

What is the Gizzard?

The gizzard is the name for the stomach of the hummingbird.  This is where the food is digested once it is eaten.

Categories
Hummingbirds

Hummingbird Mirgration:Day or Night?

A friend recently asked me if hummingbirds migrate during the day or at night.  While I thought I knew the answer to this question, I told my friend that I would do some research on the matter and then get back to them with the answer to their question.  Here is what I discovered on the subject.

The migratory journey of the hummingbird takes place largely during the day.  The only exception to this is when the Ruby-throated Hummingbird has begun its migratory journey across the Gulf of Mexico.  As a result, they will be over water at night and therefore they must continue their journey until they reach the other side.

I am glad to be able to share my love and knowledge of hummingbirds with all of you.  Feel free to let me hear from you with any questions or comments that you may have about hummingbirds