If you’ve suddenly seen swarms of hummingbirds at your feeders in Middle Tennessee, you’re not alone.
Hummingbirds are still preparing their tiny little bodies with extra weight to get them through a long migration across the Gulf Coast.
“In the fall it flies nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of nearly 500 miles and taking 18 to 20 hours under favorable conditions, to winter in southern Mexico or northern Central America,” the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said.
Those zippy little birds will start to make their move to Mexico in late September and early October.
Here’s how to help them have the best migration possible.
What kinds of hummingbirds fly through Tennessee?
The most common hummingbird in Tennessee — and the only one to nest and breed in the state — is the Ruby-throated hummingbird. They have a long thin bill and an iridescent green back. Male birds have the iconic iridescent red throat.
On average the birds are less than 4 inches in length.
“It is a familiar summer inhabitant of gardens, parks, and woodlands from mid-April to early October,” the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency said.
Several species from western states have also been found in Tennessee during the non-breeding season. They arrive anytime after late August and usually depart in April, the wildlife agency said. The agency has recorded: Rufous, Black-chinned, Allen’s, Anna’s, Calliope, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and one Green Violet-ear.
The Rufous is the most commonly spotted western species in Tennessee.
“Deemed the “feistiest” hummingbird in North America, this hummer also has the longest migration route of the all the U.S. hummingbirds,” the wildlife agency said. “Rufous hummingbird can tolerate temperatures to -4 degrees Fahrenheit…In recent years Tennessee has experienced an ever-growing winter population of this tenacious little vagrant hummingbird.”
What food is best for a hummingbird?
While native flowering plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds, that’s not always feasible as temperatures start to cool off and flowers die.
“Supplementing with a well-tended sugar-water feeder can provide additional sustenance during nesting season and migration,” according to the National Audubon Society, an organization dedicated to bird conservation.
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, associating the color with high-quality nectar flowers, the society said. While it’s encouraged to purchase a red feeder, the nectar should not be dyed red as some color addatives could be harmful to the birds.
The Audubon Society suggests a simple, and cheap, option for nectar — a 1:4 solution of water and refined white sugar. Add one cup of water and a ⅟₄ cup of sugar in a saucepan, bring to a boil until all sugar is dissolved, then let cool before adding to a feeder.
“You can make a larger batch and refrigerate the extra solution, just remember to bring it up to room temperature before you re-fill the feeder,” the society said.
How often should a hummingbird feeder be cleaned?
Maintaining a clean feeder will set hummingbirds up for success in their migration.
A feeder kept in hot weather should be emptied and cleaned every other day at the least, though it is recommended to clean it daily, the Audubon Society said. In temperate climates, every three days is recommended and in cooler temperatures twice per week.
“If your hummingbirds empty the feeder with greater frequency, clean it every time it’s empty,” the society said.
Anytime there’s mold, clean it immediately with hot water and hydrogen peroxide or a weak vinegar solution. Dish soaps can leave harmful residue in the feeder.
When is it time to bring hummingbird feeders inside?
Feeders are ok to leave out as long as hummingbirds are around, the Audubon Society said. Keeping a feeder out won’t keep hummingbirds around longer. Once their tiny bird brains tell them to continue south, they’ll go.
Some late or out-of-range species, like the Rufous hummingbird, can show up into early winter, so leaving the feeder up for a couple extra weeks is a good idea.
Remember to continue to clean the feeder and discard any unused nectar so it doesn’t grow mold.
Follow this year’s hummingbird mirgration here
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How long do hummingbird feeders stay up? What to know this migration