Hummingbirds need your help
In New Mexico we enjoy an abundance of bird life, and although some people wish cardinals came this far west, no one complains about the beautiful hummingbirds that pass through during summer.
All 17 species of North American hummingbird have been sighted in New Mexico. The most common ones seen in Albuquerque are the Black-chinned and Rufous (a.k.a. “little orange terror”) hummingbirds, which are also the ones that stay the longest.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds breed here; Rufous do not, but pass through on their way south in late summer. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrate through our area on their way to nest at higher elevations, and are seen again on their southbound migration in late summer and early fall. The tiniest hummingbird, the Calliope, also passes through on its late-summer migration.
Native American mythology has a rich supply of stories about these birds. Many exalt hummingbirds as bringers of rain. (We can only hope.) But what happens to them and their migration during periods of extended drought, such as we are experiencing and that are predicted to continue?
The answer lies in the factors that drive hummingbird migration: flower nectar and insects. Flowers are the main attention-grabber. They provide nectar (sugar), which hummingbirds convert into energy. Red flowers especially seem to produce nectar in sugar ratios that hummingbirds prefer, which is why nearly all commercial feeders contain red (though they do eat from other color flowers as well). Eating insects provides hummingbirds with protein, which is the raw material for feather, bone, muscle maintenance, and growth.
In years when spring flower growth is normal, hummingbirds migrate along the Continental Divide, their “flower highway,” where they find what they need to survive and breed. During periods of drought, when flowers are not as plentiful, human assistance becomes important.
Yards rich in flowering plants and trees (which provide shelter) and populated with hummingbird feeders help make up for the lack of desert vegetation. To a hummingbird, a feeder filled with nectar looks like a flower, and the birds will return to that spot year after year. Birdbaths and moving water also become critical during extended drought. A hummingbird that is taking care of her babies and building a nest for the next brood will not have time to fly down to the Rio Grande for a drink and a bath.
In putting out hummingbird feeders, remember two important things: Keep the syrup fresh, and keep the feeder clean. Hummingbird nectar should be changed every two to three days during hot weather. Use a 4-to-1 formula (4 cups of water to 1 cup of plain white granulated sugar) because it most closely approximates the nectar found in flowers. Do not dye the nectar red. Thoroughly clean feeders every time you change the nectar, clearing out any mold from the nooks and crannies. Special brushes are available for this job.
Most important, after you re-hang your feeder, sit back and enjoy the show, knowing that you are playing an important role in helping these beautiful birds survive.
Photo by Kent Winchester
Roberta Beyer owns The Fat Finch, a boutique for birders, in Albuquerque’s North Valley.