The Hummingbird: Nature's Aerial Marvel

Hummingbirds are among the most extraordinary birds—agile, vibrant, and capable of flying thousands of miles annually. They visit gardens in early summer, retreat to woods, then return before migrating south.

Attracting Them with Feeders

Non-gardeners can use feeders (homemade or commercial). Mix 1 cup sugar per quart of boiled water; change every 2–3 days to prevent fermentation, which harms their livers. Avoid red dye and honey—refined sugar is safest.

Gardening for Hummingbirds

Plant favorites like honeysuckle, red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), and salvia "Lady in Red" (blooms early for spring arrivals). These birds see the full color spectrum, including UV, and prefer red and blue flowers—partly because insects avoid red blooms, leaving more nectar.

Astounding Physiology

Wings beat ~700 times per minute. They feed every 10 minutes to survive, yet migrate thousands of miles each spring and fall—a true wonder of nature.