The Wonder of Winter Hummingbirds

THEY'RE HERE! My winter hummingbirds that is. I see an occasional hummingbird during the spring and perhaps a few more in the summer, but once the weather turns cold and all the flowers stop blooming, I suddenly have a very large hummingbird population.

When spring arrives, they disappear. This used to be such a mystery to me, but several years ago I spoke with an ornithologist who explained that these are most likely Anna’s hummingbirds, which migrate from Alaska to the Pacific Northwest.  While migrating, they fly up to 60 MPH and stick to the same migration route each year -- and can often be seen on the same day at the same location along their migration route each year. I had no idea! Longtime local hummingbird fans also say that some of this species are year-round residents.

I love watching these tiny energetic little gems. I currently have five feeders placed around the yard and garden and will probably add a few more this year as the little hummers are always fighting over the existing feeders. Hummingbird nectar/syrup is easy and fairly inexpensive to make. Four parts water to one part sugar is recommended. I boil the mixture for a few minutes to make sure the sugar is completely dissolved and cool down before filling the feeders. It should be noted that brown sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners or red dye should not be used -- ever. I have done some reading and have learned that the use of commercial nectar/syrup is discouraged, as they are full of dyes and sometimes preservatives that might be harmful to the little birds.

I am amazed that hummingbirds are able to survive when the temperatures dip below freezing. It seems to defy the law of physics that something so tiny does not freeze. I am told that they go into a state at night called “torpor.”  In this state, body functions are almost totally suspended. The heart rate is slowed to as little as 50 beats per minute (the normal rate varies between 250 and 1,250 beats per minute) and the body temperatures can drop down to 55 degrees!

When the night time temperatures get cold enough for the nectar to freeze (usually anything below 30 degrees), I bring the feeders in at night and bring them out again early in the morning. After a cold night the birds are frantic and more than once, I’ve had hummingbirds try to drink from the feeders as I’m carrying them out and hanging them up. Last winter, when the day time temperature didn’t exceed the mid-20’s, the feeders were freezing every couple of hours. I hung a trouble light next to the larger feeders and periodically brought the others in the house to thaw. You can also have several rotating feeders.

It is a full time job for sure, but worth it!

Interesting hummingbird facts:

• The hummingbird is the smallest bird and also the smallest of all animals that have a backbone.

• A hummingbird has no sense of smell.

• During migration, some hummingbirds make a non-stop 500-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

• Hummingbird wings beat in a figure 8 pattern in the air, allowing them to fly forward, backward and to hover perfectly in place.

• Some hummingbirds will bly near the ground and with an explosive puff of air from their wings, flip over small leaves on the ground exposing tiny insects.

• Percentage wise, the hummingbird has the largest brain of all birds (4.2% of total body weight).

• Hummingbirds are the second largest family of birds with 343 species.

The world of nature holds so many delights.  You might have some of these little winter visitors in your own back yard.  Putting out some food now will certainly help them get through the cold season.  Any effort spent will come back to you as you can sit back and enjoy them this winter, when we spend more time indoors.

“Like the hummingbird sipping nectar from every flower, I fly joyfully through my days, seeing beauty in everything.” ~ Amethyst Wyldfyre

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A transplant from Montana, Marilyn Hendrickson has lived in the Kirkland area since 1985 and volunteers weekly at the in Houghton. She also enjoys cooking, reading, wine tasting and spending time with friends and family.