HUMMINGBIRDS NUMBERS ON RISE, BUT LITTLE BIRDS ARE PICKY

Hummingbirds are alive and well in southeast Missouri, though the tiny birds may not be in every yard.

"We have as many hummingbirds around here as we've always had, though there may not be as many in specific areas," said Dr. Bill Eddleman, who holds a doctorate in wildlife ecology and teaches biology at Southeast Missouri State University.

Some callers to the Southeast Missourian's Speak Out have speculated that there is a shortage of hummingbirds because the callers haven't had any come to their yards this year. Other callers have answered there are plenty of hummingbirds around.

Eddleman agrees with the latter and the North American Breeding Bird Survey, conducted annually by the U.S. Geologic Survey, backs him up. According to data from the breeding bird survey, the number of ruby-throated hummingbirds, the only hummingbird to nest in Missouri, has been on the increase in Missouri since 1980.

Eddleman links this to the growing number of people who put out feeders for hummingbirds. With more food available, their numbers tend to climb, he said.

But Eddleman noted that's over a general area over a number of years. Factors like drought and changing habitat can affect numbers in particular areas, he said.

He said there are a number of reasons some yards might not get hummingbirds, even if the area has been abuzz with these tiny flyers in year's past.

Hummingbirds nest in wooded areas. So if a lot is cleared of trees or brush, it could eliminate nesting sites and result in fewer hummingbirds in a particular neighborhood, Eddleman said.

Or perhaps neighbors have put up feeders or planted flowers favored by hummingbirds. "This might lure hummingbirds from one yard to another," Eddleman said.

Eddleman said the number of hummingbird sightings usually goes up in late summer. Right now, he said, many female hummingbirds are protecting their nests and don't stray far from them. As the summer goes on and the hatchlings leave their nests, not only do the females venture out more, but the immature birds are abundant.

To attract hummingbirds to a yard, Eddleman said people can put up hummingbird feeders, which dispense a sugar-water mixture, or fill yards with plants that have tubular red flowers, which hummingbirds particularly like. Actually, it's preferable to do both, Eddleman said.

Plants attractive to hummingbirds include native plants, such as cardinal flower, royal catchfly, trumpet creeper and columbine and non-natives like snapdragon, hollyhock, gladiola and geraniums, according to information from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

As for feeders, glass is preferred over plastic since plastic tends to allow bacterial and mold growth more readily than glass. Feeder openings that resemble tubular flowers are desirable.

Clean your feeder weekly and refill with fresh nectar to prevent bacterial growth, Eddleman said.

Instant nectar can be purchased but just as good is sugar water. Create the mixture by combining one part sugar with four parts water and simmering five to 10 minutes, Eddleman said. You don't need to add red dye to the mix, he added.