Nature News
Prepare Early For Your Spring Guests!
Hummingbirds show up in the south as early as January or February and in the north by April or May, so get ready now for these diminutive diners. It’s not too early to hang nectar feeders in Fort Wayne. Pick up a Wild Birds Unlimited hummingbird feeder which has the nectar recipe printed right on the inside of the lid. Prepare to be delighted as these tiny treasures visit your backyard.
Give me a break
Despite how it appears, hummingbirds do not feed constantly. They must take a break for the digestive process. Next time you notice a hummingbird perching quietly on a limb, it is probably transferring stored nectar or insects from its crop into the active part of its digestive tract. When the crop is emptied halfway, the bird will fly off to fill up again. Typically, hummers feed five to eight times in one hour. Buzz by Wild Birds Unlimited for cheerful spring hummingbird gifts.
Humming in the Shower
Increase your hummingbird traffic by supplying plain water, both for their drinking and bathing. They bypass deep water but will bathe in shallow dishes or pools. Hummingbirds prefer running water, bathing on the wing, hovering under sprays of a sprinkler or garden hose. Hummingbirds have been spotted using beads of water on vegetation, flapping their wings among those leaves saturated with dewdrops. Stop in at Wild Birds Unlimited to add that perfect birdbath, or add a water mister to watch their aerial antics.
Celebrate Devoted Mothers…and Fathers
Normally, the male bird brings food to his mate, but some hummingbirds are unusual in that the female is the one that feeds the male. Similarly, female hummingbirds do all the nest-building, incubating and caring for the young. Her nest is elastic and able to expand to accommodate the young as they grow.
Why not celebrate Mother’s Day by treating Mom to dinner and a show? A hummingbird feeder provides dinner for them and a blockbuster show for her. Select just the right one for her backyard at Wild Birds Unlimited. And if dad loves gardening, ask a Wild Birds Unlimited Certified Birdfeeding Specialist which plants can attract hummingbirds. Surprise him with perennial beauty and playful backyard visitors to enjoy on Father’s Day and all season long.