Page 50 - 2023MayJun

Watchable Wildlife
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
By Cameron Cranford, Education Intern
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

BY CAMERON CRANFORD, EDUCATION INTERN

Hummingbirds are Oklahoma’s smallest one day apart. The young hatch in 14–16 days
birds and are unique in many respects. They are and are ready to leave the nest about 21 days
the only birds that can hover, fly backward and later. Occasionally, two broods are produced
upside down as easily as they fly forward. Of in a season. During spring migration, hum-
the four species of hummingbirds known to visit mingbirds begin to arrive in Oklahoma in mid-
Oklahoma, the ruby-throated is the most wide- March and early April, with males arriving first.
spread. Their feath- In fall, males migrate first and usually are gone
ers appear different by mid-September. Females and young are
A great way to attract shades of colors in mostly gone by mid-October, although some
hummingbirds is by planting varying degrees and stragglers will remain.
angles of light. Back A simple way to attract hummingbirds is by
flowers. Flowering plants and crown feathers setting out a sugar-water feeder. Use a formula
also provide protein in the are basically green of one part sugar to four parts boiled water
but may appear to produce a solution that approximates that
form of aphids and other brown or gray. Adult found in natural flower nectar. Never use artificial
small insects and spiders. In male gorgets, or sweeteners or honey. Place the feeders outside
general choose plants with throats, may seem by early April and leave them up until at least
black until struck by Nov. 1. This will provide for both early spring
tubular-shaped flowers that sunlight, which turns ruby-throats and late fall migrants, as well as
are reddish or pink in color. them fiery red-gold. the other three species of hummingbirds. Other
The female ruby- birds such as orioles and chickadees also may be
throat’s gorget is attracted to your hummingbird feeder. Feeders
clear or faintly dotted, and her outer tail feath- may be left out with fresh nectar as long as birds
ers are tipped with white. Immature ruby-throats drink from them. The hummingbirds will migrate
look like females until young males begin to when they are ready, so leaving feeders up later
acquire a few red feathers in their gorgets. will provide an additional energy source for any
Ruby-throats measure 3 to 3.75 inches from stragglers. Sometimes, hummingbirds will not
bill to tail and weight 2.5 to 3.5 grams (nine birds use feeders during part of the summer. During
weigh a total of one ounce); the birds weigh this time, they are feeding off nectar from flow-
more during migration. ering plants and gleaning insects from flowers or
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are considered the air for their young.
Neotropical migrants, which means they nest in Place feeders in the shade. If more than one is
North America and winter in Central and South used, place them far apart to avoid competition
America. The ruby-throats’ range extends from from the territorial hummingbirds. During cool
southern Canada throughout the eastern half of weather, replace nectar and clean feeders at least
the United States to Central America. They are once a week; during warm or hot weather, replace
able to fly across the Gulf of Mexico after gaining nectar and clean feeders every three or four days.
significant weight during late summer. A great way to attract hummingbirds is by
After arriving in Oklahoma, ruby-throats planting flowers. Flowering plants also provide
quickly mate and construct a nest, usually in protein in the form of aphids and other small
mid-April. Their cup-shaped nests are not much insects and spiders. In general choose plants
larger than a walnut half and are made of spider with tubular-shaped flowers that are reddish
webs, plant down and lichens. Nests are built or pink in color. Recommended plants include
10–20 feet above ground, often in a fork of coral honeysuckle, red buckeye, American col-
a downward-sloping branch. Females lay two umbine, Indian paintbrush, beard tongue, bee
white eggs about the size of navy beans, usually balm, and trumpet creeper.

48 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA