A. Migrating Ruby Throated Hummingbirds visit Galveston Island in the spring for 2 or 3 weeks and they return in the early-to-late fall for a possibly longer visitation. On both visits the birds are searching for a good source of food. That is why we plant a hummingbird garden.
These little flying jewels have incredible eyesight and can spot a red flower from a considerable distance. And a mass of red flowers has a dramatic drawing ability. But, be prepared; these little guys are territorial. The first one that arrives stakes out the territory for its exclusive use. So be prepared to have several masses of blooms scattered around to keep aerial dogfights to a minimum.
You can use feeders with sugar water--one
part sugar to four parts water, boiled and cooled. Don't add food color;
it could affect the bird's kidneys. The feeder itself will have enough red
to catch their eye. Personally, I don't like feeders. In our hot
weather they sour in a few days and have to be cleaned and refilled. Guess
I'm lazy. The flowers that have proven to draw the hummingbirds here on
Galveston Island are:
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Cape Honeysuckle |
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Coral Vine |
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Flowering Maple |
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Hibiscus |
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Impatiens |
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Mexican Fire Bush |
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Oleanders--for small spiders and aphids, which the hummers feed on |
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Pentas |
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Pride of Barbados |
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Turks Cap |
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Verbena |
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Yellow Bell |
Another attraction is a misting device. These little guys actually will fly through a fine spray from a garden hose sprayer. Water dripping on a large flat leaf will give them a "bathtub."
Don't despair if you have other than red or orange flowers. The red attracts them first, but they stay around to shop at all the other colors.
The birds require only three things of us--a source of food, water, and protected perches away from cats.