Stokes Feeder Friday: Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, at Stokes Select Royal hummingbird feeder.

The weather has been crazy here, ranging from a frost last week to, now, weather in the 70's and 80's. It is so important to keep your hummingbird feeders clean and filled with fresh fluid every 2-3 days, or every 2 days when it gets really hot. To make this easier, get feeders that come apart and you can easily clean! Clean with hot water and a little vinegar to get rid of any mold and rinse thoroughly.

Here's the recipe to make your own hummingbird nectar solution.

1 part white table sugar (not honey or artificial sweetener)

4 parts water

Boil for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the sugar, cool. Fill feeder. Store unused solution for up to

a week in the refrigerator. 

We now have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds coming regularly to our feeders here in NH. Females just recently showed up. We saw a male do a courtship display to a female where he flies in a big "U" shaped flight right over her, his red throat patch (called a gorget) flashing in the sunlight. After mating, the female lays 2 smaller-than-jelly-bean sized eggs and raises the young herself.

I'm going to go make some fresh hummingbird solution right now. Love those hummers!