Hummers in the Winter
We are fortunate to have cute little Anna’s around throughout the winter. Be sure and give them an energy boost during this cold weather by hanging a feeder. You’ll gain hours of pleasure watching these colorful winter residents and do them a favor by providing them a much needed energy source. Use just plain sugar or Hummingbird nectar mix and water (4 parts water to 1 part sugar, or during these especially cold days try 3 to 1 to help prevent freezing and of course no dyes or additives), and be sure to bring in at night to prevent freezing. Stop by the store if you have any questions or need advice about feeding hummers in the winter months!
The Klamath basin has more bald eagles than any place in the lower 48 states, and this is the prime time to see them. Please revisit our article for more information on Birding in the Klamath Basin..
Relative to our Annas that stay around all winter (I have two this winter), what in the world do they eat other than what is in the feeders? Their two primary sources of food; nectar and insects, are not available this time of year. Is their presence totally the result of winter feeding (hard to imagine), or am I missing some food sources?
Thanks,
Greg
Hi Greg,
Good question! Most experts agree that in the temperate zones of the Pacific coast region hanging feeders does not interfere with migration. In our area the common species found throughout the year is the Anna’s hummingbird which in our area is more likely to perform an altitudinal migration, going higher in the mountains as summer wildflowers become available. In harsher climates some hummingbirds do become disoriented in their migrational paths and either do not leave or go the wrong direction, ( Rufous hummingbirds have been observed going the wrong direction e.g., north and even flying out over the Pacific Ocean ) but once again, the availability of feeders is not believed to be a factor. In fact, it is not food availability, or even temperature that drives most migration, but instead length of day and amount of light. If a hummingbird in harsher environs fails to migrate it will usually perish, but in this case the availability of feeders could lengthen its survival.
While hummingbirds depend upon nectar for much of their energy requirements they also require protein and fats gleaned from insects. They are very efficient and capable predators and eat a wide variety of insects such as flies, gnats, spiders, aphids, and insects larva and eggs. In fact this is what they survive on when nectar is scarce. I see the hummingbirds at my feeder regularly visiting all of my trees where the investigate the bark and needles for insects. Although we might not see all the available insects there are enough to sustain our population of Anna’s.
I hope this answers your question and thanks for submitting a question that I know concerns and is on the mind’s of many of our readers and customers!
The Northwest Nature Shop Team