PICKAWAY – Hummingbirds have been sighted in the area so getting your feeders out and ready is very important after the long journey.
The Ruby-throated hummingbird common to Ohio is heading from its winter vacation in deep south Mexico and South America.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds can travel over a thousand miles non-stop and head to the southern regions to survive over the winter. When they return to Ohio after the long trip they are searching for food.
This week two sightings in our area of hummingbirds have been already recorded on the spring migration map: https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2023-map.htm
So it is important to have your feeders out and available in the coming weeks. Hummingbirds come to Ohio for less competition and to breed. Males are usually first to come followed by females.
Breeding is heavy during this return season also, Male Hummingbirds find a territory before the female arrives and then attract the females with a courtship dance. A female hummingbird will lay 2-3 eggs up to three times a year.
For a recipe, most people now discourage the use of red dye but to have red glass feeders. Here’s the come recipe.
Ingredients
- Refined white sugar
- Water
Directions for making safe hummingbird food:
- Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved
- Do not add red dye
- Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside
- Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator
- Change feeders every other day and thoroughly clean them each time to prevent harmful mold growth
