Tale Feathers
Summer 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:

Summer Feeding

Hummingbirds

How to get them, how to keep them!

Butterfly Feeding Tips

Ask Tom

Howard Happenings
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SUMMER FEEDING IS AT ITS PEAK

Spring and early summer are consistently the busiest times at many backyard feeders.  Many of our customers have commented that the birds seem to be going through seed at a record pace in their yards.  No, the birds are not "getting lazy" by ignoring the abundance of bugs in the yard.  Most of the backyard birds we see at our feeders are "seed eaters" and natural harvests of seed do not mature until fall.  Additionally, there are simply more birds out there!  Populations are increasing with the hatching of all of the young birds.  Many birds will nest more than once during the season and parents will bring their offspring along to enjoy a meal.  One of my favorite sights is a young bird "begging" to be fed and seeing a parent bird feed them a seed from the feeder.  As the youngsters grow, the parents will stop feeding them and actually ignore their cries.  It is then fun to watch the young birds trying to figure out how to use the feeder.  The birdbath is another source of entertainment.  I once watched a parent Blue Jay apparently attempt to show a young bird how to bathe by repeatedly jumping into the water and jumping back to the rim.  The young bird watched but never did venture into the water.  The parent finally flew away, closely followed by the youngster!



HUMMERS Hummingbird feeding is well underway.  These feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days early in the season.  As the summer progresses, clean more frequently.  Many hummingbird feeders are dishwasher safe. You can also clean with hot soapy water or a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water. (This is the same ratio we recommend for sugar to water in our nectar recipe).  Scrub with a small brush (we have several special ones available).  For hard to reach places on the inside of your feeder, place a small handful of uncooked rice in the feeder with the vinegar solution and shake briskly.  Rinse thoroughly.

THE KEY TO HUMMINGBIRD SUCCESS


BIRD OF THE MONTH -The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the most widely distributed of the world's 338 species of hummingbirds, all of which occur ONLY in the Western Hemisphere.

On the average, the females are about 15-25% larger than males.  It is believed that the larger size makes the female better able to incubate eggs and brood the young while the male's smaller size may facilitate his escaping predators or performing more aerobatic courtship displays.  Only adult males have the full red gorget that gives this species its name.

  • Average Length - 3.5 inches
  • Average Weight - 1/8 ounce
  • Body Temperature - 105-108 F
  • Wing Beats - 40-80 per second, average about 52
  • Flight Speed - 30 mph normal; 63 mph dive
  • Diet - Nectar and small insects (i.e. gnats, ants, and flies)
  • Life Span - Maximum 12 years, average is 3-5 years
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is often found between woodland and meadow.  However, it has adapted well to human development, but only if there is shelter, space and food.  Thus, it is frequently found in suburban backyards with mature trees and shrubs, in wooded parks and around farmsteads and orchards.






BRING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR WINDOW WITH THE
PERKY PET WINDOW MOUNT
NECTAR FEEDER
 ARTIFICIAL NECTAR RECIPE

One part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

This mixture approximates the average sucrose content (about 21%) of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds.

DO NOT USE:
red food coloring!
artificial sweeteners!
honey or brown sugar!


DID YOU KNOW...?


Hummingbirds are loyal to feeding sites.  A hummingbird that feeds in your yard one year will return to that feeder the next.  If you aren't attracting as many hummers as you want - read on!  As the male ruby throat is territorial, one key is to offer lots of feeders.  We have a variety to choose from.  No matter what kinds of feeders you decide to use, remember two cardinal rules:  1) Keep the feeder clean and 2) the nectar fresh.  Hummingbirds keep their distance from old fermented nectar.

Hummers seem to know that they need a clear head for their acrobatic flying.  Fermented nectar can support the growth of molds.  If a hummingbird gets a taste of fermented nectar from your feeder it will look elsewhere for a drink and remain suspicious of the offending feeder for a long time.

We are frequently asked how to keep the feeders free from bees and wasps.  If you use a flat top feeder (Droll Yankee or Aspect's Mini HummZinger) the nectar is not at the feeding port.  Hummingbirds can reach the nectar with their long beaks and tongues but the bees and wasps cannot.  Hanging the feeder in a sheltered spot also helps.  The nectar will be less likely to splash out of the portals if it is not subject to swinging in the breeze.  You can also put Avon Skin So Soft around the opening of your feeder-this helps keep the bees from landing on the feeder.  Ants are sometimes a huge problem at feeders.  Droll Yankee feeders actually come with nectar guards-plastic tips that cover the feeder portals, which the hummers open when they put their beaks into the feeder.  The guards close back up when the hummers withdraw their beaks so ants and bees do not have access to the nectar.  If you want to protect the feeders you already own, hang them under an ant moat.  These moats are filled with plain water and will trap the ants before they get to the nectar in your feeder (ants can't swim).

Hummers will feed during all daylight hours, but a good time to watch for them is right before dusk.  They will come in to load up on nectar before nightfall.  They are not shy about coming around people so put the feeders close by.  (We have deck hooks and hangers with suction cups that attach to your window.)



Enjoy feeding the hummers all summer and into the fall.  The shorter day triggers their migration instinct; so don't be concerned that you will keep them from heading south if you leave your feeders up.  Activity will begin to decline late in September but you can leave the feeders up until the end of October.  After our resident hummers leave, we will continue to see birds passing through from spending the summer in New England and Canada.  Some Hummingbird watchers have been fortunate enough to have other species of hummers visit in the fall.  Last fall, we had a Rufous hummingbird using a feeder in Ellicott City until mid-January.  A heat lamp placed near the feeder kept the nectar from freezing.  The bird was banded and released-it will be interesting to see if the bird returns to our area.




ATTRACTING

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies are small wonders of our universe.  They fascinate us with their delightful colors and fanciful flight.  They play a critical role in the food chain as well as pollinate many crops and flowers.  The best way to attract butterflies to your yard is by planting a garden with a variety of plants and flowers that nourish both the caterpillar and the adult butterfly.  Each species prefers specific food and host plants.  The Wildlife Authority has books that will help you select the right plants for the species of butterfly you want to attract.  The Stokes Butterfly Book has color pictures of the adult butterfly and their caterpillar counterparts, as well as the plants each prefers.  Popular plants include: zinnias, asters, sweet William, coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, milkweed, butterfly bush, butterfly weed, lantana, coreopsis, honeysuckle and morning glories.


A large flat rock in a sunny location of your garden will allow the butterflies a spot to warm themselves.  They also like a wet sandy area or muddy puddle to drink from. You can also put up a butterfly house.  It may take several seasons for butterflies to hibernate in a butterfly house.  By placing slabs of tree bark vertically inside the house you are simulating the natural habitat that hibernating butterflies seek.  Butterfly houses make attractive garden ornaments and conversation pieces and are also useful for reminding people about the need to protect butterflies.

We have several styles in-stock that will look great in your garden!




ASK TOM


Q. Help! House Finches have taken over my thistle feeders.  Is there anything I can do?
A.  There are lots of juvenile house finch in the backyard at this time of the year.  Try the upside down thistle feeder, which features the hole below the perch.  The gold finches feed upside down but the house finches cannot.



Q.  How can I prevent mosquitoes from breeding in my birdbaths?
A.  Mosquito larvae require still and preferably stagnant water to live.  It takes up to two weeks for their eggs to hatch and for larvae to grow into adult mosquitoes capable of biting humans.  Keep water fresh by replacing it every few days or by using a "water wiggler" to keep the water moving.  This device is battery operated so you don't have to worry about providing electricity to your bath. 



Q.  I had birds nesting in my bird house but now they are gone-should I take down the house or will they come back to use it at night?
A.  Once the birds fledge, the young will not return to the box so it safe to clean out the old nesting material.  However, many birds will nest more than once.  You can leave the house up all year long-some birds will use a box at night for roosting and when the weather gets cold.

HOWARD HAPPENINGS

Northern Mockingbirds sometimes sing all night.  These songsters may be males that have not found a mate.  Summer nights are best for hearing eastern screech owls.  The young birds have fledged and are talkative.  Great-Crested Flycatchers, a local cavity nester, are vocal at dusk.  Late summer is a great time to watch for young birds.  Fledglings are the same size as adults by the time they leave the nest.  Sometimes they are identical to adults but often have different plumage - watch for their begging behavior.  There are 118 species of birds known to breed in Howard County!


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