A female ruby-throated hummingbird approaches a feeder. This year, Maine Audubon has been getting reports of unusually high numbers of hummingbirds at feeders. AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Of all Maine’s wildlife that readers ask about, hummingbirds are the most popular by far. I’ve written about them a lot, but since the questions keep rolling in, I figured we’d spend this week getting into some of the nuances of hummingbirds and their behaviors while they spend the summer with us.
Brian and Kathy Kaczor of Durham asked a fun gender question to start with: “In May and June we were only seeing male hummingbirds at our window feeder. Now in July, we are only seeing females. Is there a typical feeding pattern for hummingbirds?”
Short answer: Yes. This is fairly typical because of the very aggressive nature of male ruby-throated hummingbirds. They’ll defend a food source, be it a garden of flowers or a human-provided hummingbird feeder, and often drive away females (even those they might have mated with – they’re terrible partners), so this is why the Kaczors are only seeing males. Once the mating season wraps up, territoriality diminishes, and females and juveniles get their chance at feeders. It is worth noting that juveniles look nearly identical to adult females, sometimes identifiable by pale or cinnamon edging to their newer body feathers.
Availability of food is also going to play a major role in who you are seeing at your feeders. In a normal year we often hear about a dearth of hummingbirds at feeders, especially when food is most abundant in mid-to-late summer as lots of flowers are in bloom and insects are numerous. This year, we’ve been getting a lot of reports of unusually high numbers of hummingbirds at feeders. It’s possible this is because of the drought conditions around the state, but at this point, we only have anecdotal evidence – and it is often hard to judge changes during a single season, especially as it is happening. Still, it doesn’t take much imagination to see the connection between fewer blooming flowers (or shortened bloom periods) and a decrease of natural food leading to hummingbirds spending more time at feeders.
A follow-up question that the Kaczors asked, and we frequently get, has to do with hummingbirds returning each year. Specifically they’re wondering if the hummingbirds they see in their yard one year are the same that return the following year. The quick answer is: “possibly over probably.” Hummingbirds do have fairly high “site fidelity” but we should keep in mind that these small birds with long migrations also have fairly high mortality rates. A study at Powdermill Nature Reserve in western Pennsylvania found that mean annual survivorship was 31.2% in males and 42.3% in females. The oldest known male ruby-throated hummingbirds are 8 years old, and females 9, so it is definitely possible that those same birds are returning to your yard each year.
Another very common question we’re getting this summer is about how to manage the number of bees visiting hummingbird feeders. This is another bit of anecdotal evidence that makes us think perhaps drought is limiting food supplies, forcing pollinators to turn to supplemental sources like sugar-water feeders. If that is the case, I’ll lead with the answer that it may be helpful to let those bees (which need all the help they can get) take an easy drink at your hummingbird feeders. Alternately, double-down and put more feeders out.
If you do want to limit bees at your feeders, a good place to start is making sure the sugar-water you’re putting out isn’t too sweet. The recommended ratio for hummingbirds is 4 parts water to 1 part regular table sugar (refined white sugar – nothing else) but some people go for a “sweeter” ratio (less water) to provide more calories. These sweeter ratios often attract more insects, especially bees. So if bees are an issue, try making the syrup with more water, not less.
Also limiting the times of day you have the feeders out can help. Hummingbirds tend to be most active at feeders closer to dusk and dawn, while bees are more active during the hotter middle part of the day, so taking down your feeders during that time might be your best answer. Either way, make sure you are providing fresh sugar water in clean feeders.
In Maine this summer there have been two reported sightings of rufous hummingbirds, like this one seen in rural western Oregon. Robin Loznak/ZUMA Wire/TNS
Now is also a good time to keep a close eye on who is at your feeders. In late July, there were two sightings of male rufous hummingbirds: in Thomaston (Knox County) on July 24, and in Sorrento (Hancock County) on July 31. It is possible that these were the same individuals, but without very high-quality photos of each, it’s nearly impossible to tell for sure. Regardless, it is a good reminder that we should look carefully at any hummingbird visitors this fall. We’re coming up on the 15-year anniversary of a Mexican violetear being keenly spotted by Ed and Debbie Hawkes of Mount Desert, on Aug. 18, 2007. This bright green hummingbird has a native range from southern Mexico to Honduras, but has a penchant for wandering north in late summer, so shoot me an email if you see one in Maine.
Do you have a nature question for Doug? Email questions to ask@maineaudubon.org and visit maineaudubon.org to learn more about backyard birding, native plants, and programs and events focusing on Maine wildlife and habitat. Doug and other naturalists lead free bird walks on Thursday mornings, 7 to 9 a.m., at the Gilsland Farm Audubon Sanctuary in Falmouth.
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