I LOVE hummingbirds. They represent one of my totem animals. Their curiosity never fails to fascinate me. Countless times, I've experienced a hummingbird flutter right up to my face as I put out their feeder, only to marvel at their magical backward flight, allowing them to take in a broader view. For over a decade, I've had the privilege of nourishing these remarkable creatures. Each May, I am filled with anticipation as I eagerly await my first glimpse of a hummingbird perched nearby. Conversely, when October arrives, and I bid farewell to the last hummingbird departing my deck, I'm overwhelmed with sadness, knowing that they are embarking on a journey of over 1,000 miles back to Mexico or Central America. Despite their diminutive size, weighing between 2-20 grams, they are powerhouses, with the extraordinary ability to cover up to 500 miles in a single day, sometimes flying for an impressive 22 hours non-stop!
I've noticed a significant decrease in the number of hummingbirds visiting my feeder over the past few years. Previously, I would have up to 12 hummingbirds competing for a spot at the feeder, but now I'm lucky to see 3 or 4 at a time. Their declining populations can be attributed to various factors, including the effects of climate change on the blooming times of their preferred plants during migration, as well as the loss of their natural habitats due to human activity.
However, there are ways to support their populations, even in urban areas as I've observed them feeding from flowers in Chicago. For those residing in North America, supporting hummingbird populations can be achieved by planting native flowers and providing them with sugar water – avoiding the use of the artificial red dye sold in stores that is filled with chemicals.
Another significant way to aid hummingbirds is by using the Audubon app to log sightings of hummingbirds. This data helps scientists understand how climate change, flower blooms, and human efforts to feed hummingbirds are impacting their populations. To learn more go to https://www.audubon.org/content/hummingbirds-home.
