Cheyenne’s Backyard Ombudsman Gives Hummingbird Tips
Most everyone likes to look at and attract colorful hummingbirds. They really are fascinating creatures that like to frequent yards here in Wyoming.
Whether it’s their colorful bodies, ability to pollinate or their vicious wing speeds of 55 times per second when feeding and 200 times per second when maneuvering, everyone has something they like about these nectarivorous creatures.
Hummingbirds provide all kinds of vital pollination activity to thousands of different plant species which is vital to the proliferation of plant life here in Wyoming. People from the Midwest enjoy these critters, some 300 different species weighing less than 20 grams, from mid-spring to late fall.
If you are interested in attracting hummingbirds, Ombudsman Batman Ken Rudsman offers some key approaches for attracting hummingbirds:
- Sources of Nutrition: Make sure to have an abundance of flowering plants and fruit trees (or bushes, or vines, etc.). Hummingbirds are attracted to bold colors and sweet, succulent fruits such as oranges and apples.
- Bright Colors: Want to pollinate something that has a rather lackluster color? Tie a red or pink bow around some of the trees in your yard for an easy, quick hack.
- Hummingbird Feeders: These are sold at most big-box stores (Think Target or Wal-Mart, but Lowe's and Home Depot carry a nice selection, too!). Only use sugar water, and refrain from adding food coloring, as it may be harmful to the birds. Instead, use a red feeder for attraction.
- Avoid Honey and Artificial Sweeteners: These may quickly ferment and cause oral issues with the birds. Instead, stick to pure sugar--either granulated white or the all-natural clumping brown stuff.
- Keep the Feeders Clean: Cleanliness is next to Godliness when it comes to these little birds. If you allow mold to grow, they may never come back to the feeder. Get a clean wet sponge or rag, and make sure to wipe off the feeder perches and feeding entrances every week or so.
Have you seen hummingbirds in your yard? Have a tried-and-true method that works to attract these winged beauties? We would love for you to leave a comment here or on our Facebook site and tell us your hummingbird story! Happy Birding.
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