Hummingbird Supplies

We always keep it simple with a ratio of four parts water to one part white granulated sugar. Boil the water first to make sure the sugar dissolves completely, then let it cool before filling your feeders. We avoid using red dyes or honey, as the birds do not need the chemicals and the sugar water mimics natural nectar perfectly. Using the right Hummingbird Supplies means keeping the kitchen clean and the recipe consistent. If you find the local crowd is growing, just mix a larger batch and keep it in the fridge. It is a lot cheaper to make a fresh batch yourself compared to buying the pre-mixed red stuff.

We suggest starting with bright colors and a reliable source of fresh nectar to get their attention. Since these birds are highly territorial, we like to place our Hummingbird Supplies in locations that are out of sight from one another. This allows more families to feed at the same time without a mid-air scuffle. We also leave a few patches of native wildflowers for them to explore. It helps to have a perch or a thin branch nearby so they can rest their wings while they keep an eye on the buffet. Just keep the feeders clean and full, and the word will spread through the neighborhood quickly, like gossip at a Sunday picnic.

Most nests are tucked away high in the fork of a tree branch, often ten to ninety feet off the ground. They are incredibly hard to see because the mothers use spider silk and lichen to camouflage the outside, making the nest look like a natural knot on the wood. While we provide the Hummingbird Supplies for their dinner, they do the heavy lifting of construction on their own. They tend to pick a spot that is sheltered from the wind and hidden by leaves. If you see a hummingbird hovering around a spider web, she is likely gathering “glue” for her nursery instead of hunting for a snack.

Yes, they absolutely do, and it’s one of the most incredible sights of the season here in Southwest Missouri. The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that spend their summers in our backyards begin their trek toward Mexico and Central America as early as August. A common myth is that leaving your feeders out will “trick” them into staying too long, but their migration is actually triggered by the changing length of the days, not the availability of food. Keeping your nectar fresh until the first frost actually provides a vital energy boost for those traveling from further north. By the time they hit the coast, these tiny athletes have often doubled their body weight just to survive the non-stop flight across the Gulf.