Page 30 - North Haven Magazine Issue 28 Spring 2023

by Ryan Zipp

he Ruby-throated Hummingbird the females are left as the sole caretakers of from a great brand called Aspects that are
Tspends the winter down in Central the young. not only made in the USA but right next
America & Mexico before migrating north door in Rhode Island! The nectar is made
into the eastern half of the United States, simply from a mixture of 1 part sugar and
all the way up into Canada. They are ca- 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar
pable of flying over 1,200 miles without with 4 cups if water). You just want to use
taking a break, even despite some birds basic table sugar and not any other types of
bulking up to double their body mass to sugar, as it can be harmful to the birds. The
make the long journey. These tiny birds av- water just has to be hot enough for the sug-
erage between 2.8” to 3.5” in length, have a ar to dissolve and the remaining nectar af-
wingspan of 3.1” to 4.3” and weigh around ter the first fill up can be kept in the fridge
0.13 ounces. Another amazing fact about for the next uses. Make sure to change out
them is that they beat their wings an in- the nectar twice a week, especially during
credible 53 times a second! these hot months!

Here in Connecticut we typically see them If you want to add some flowers around
begin to show up around the 3rd week of your yard to help attract them, here is a
April, with many only stopping along the list of popular varieties to consider:
way to recharge before continuing north.
The others will stay here in the area all Annuals:
summer to mate, nest and make more • Fuchsia
hummingbirds. We always see less activity • Lantana
in our yards and at our feeders once we get • Cuphea, “Vermillionaire” or “David
to the end of May. This picks back up as Verity”
we get more into July and the prime time • Anise-scented sage, Salvia guaranit-
for them around here is late July into mid ica “Black and Blue”
September. So if you have gotten frustrat-
ed with not seeing them during this slower Perrenials:
Although both sexes are a bright emerald stretch, make sure not to give up because • Trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera
green color on their back & crown, the better days are ahead. sempervirens
main difference in telling a male apart • Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
from a female is the brilliant iridescent Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are natu- • Bee balm, Monarda didyma ‘Jacob
red throat. The throat may appear almost rally attracted to red, orange or pink tubu- Cline’
black when no light is hitting it, but glows lar flowers, but it is not necessary to add
a bright red once light hits it just right! Ju- any harmful coloring dyes into the nectar
venile males resemble females at first, un- you put out for them. There are plenty of
til heavier throat markings begin to show great hummingbird feeders that are red
through as he matures. Ruby-throated or include red parts to attract them just
Hummingbirds only pair up for a short fine. We have a selection of great models
period of time during courtship and mat- available in our store The Fat Robin that
ing, which can be anywhere from days to are super easy to clean, keep ants out and
a few weeks, before the males take off and are less attractive to bees. Our favorites are

North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2023
30