Hummingbirds are flocking back to Big Sky Country. These small and amazing birds migrate thousands of miles each year. The Ruby Throated hummingbird Winters in Mexico and Central America. These tiny, winged wonders are truly Snowbirds.
Montana is one of many destinations for these birds. Once in Big Sky Country, they mate and create a new generation of tiny travelers. They prefer forests and orchard areas like the Cheery trees in NW Montana. They also enjoy the flowering plants that are common to our backyard gardens.
I frequently see Hummingbirds visiting the flower filled hanging baskets on my deck. Petunias, Fuchsia, and other nectar filled flowers are a perfect food source. Tubular flowers like columbine, cardinal flower, and honeysuckle are popular feeding stops.
Females tend to build nests in Birch and pine trees. The nests are very small and fragile. High winds can quickly destroy these nests. Jellybean sized eggs are quick to hatch.
To attract these wandering birds, add a bird bath to your yard. Avoid insecticides which kill spiders and other bugs.
Cats are a serious predator to these small birds.
Hummingbird nectar feeders are a good idea but need to be managed and maintained. Make the nectar from mixing one part of refined, not raw, sugar, with 4 parts of boiling water. No red dyes are needed. Avoid yellow feeders, to discourage wasps and bees from visiting the feeders. Clean and refill the feeders every 4 days. If you don’t the nectar can become toxic and kill the hummingbirds.
Hummingbird feeders are sold at most garden stores. You can also make your own using old, inverted bottles capped with a feeding plug.
Montana hosts 8 different kinds of Hummingbirds. The Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are the most seen. Some species fly 4,000 miles per year during their migrations! They can speed along at 98 mph, with 58 wingbeats per second. Flying upside down and backwards is no problem.
Enjoy these amazing fast flyers this season!
Montana Grant
