HUMMINGBIRDS TO BEGIN ANNUAL MIGRATION INTO MISSOURI

JEFFERSON CITY -- It's hard to imagine anyone being captivated by a three-inch long bird weighing less than an eighth of an ounce. That is, until you realize those measurements give only a basic description of hummingbirds. As you learn more about the characteristics of the smallest of Missouri's birds the human fascination with them is easily understood.

"They are unique, lively and pretty," says Missouri Department of Conservation Ornithologist Jim D. Wilson. "They have almost no fear of people. They're attracted to red, so sometimes they'll come very close if you're wearing red lipstick, or clothes. But they are very defensive of their territory. Often a male will lay claim to a feeder and chase off other males."

Beside their human-friendly demeanor, ruby-throated hummingbirds, especially the males, are quite appealing to the eye. The crimson breast feathers of the male are draped by white feathers below and bright green plumage covering the back, wings and tail. Females and immature birds have white throats.

The hummer's other attention-grabbing features include a long slender bill that enables it to extract nectar from flowers and a lightning quick wing speed (more than 75 stokes per second) that makes it appear to float on air.

Whatever the appeal, people often make efforts to attract the birds. Nectar-filled feeders are the most used enticement. Both nectar and feeder are easily made. You can concoct a good nectar by adding four parts water to one part sugar. A feeder can be fashioned from a glass or plastic vial that includes a bit of red material at the mouth.

A variety of commercial nectars and feeders are available. Some feeders are equipped with features that provide good access to hummingbirds while denying access to insects and other birds.

No matter what kind of feeder you use, Wilson says the nectar solution should be changed weekly, and the feeder cleaned often to help fight the growth of bacteria. Such bacteria can harm hummers.

Combining feeder placement with creative landscaping increases your chances of coaxing hummingbirds to your yard. Wilson says flowering plants are probably the most important factor for attracting hummingbirds. The plants will provide nectar and draw insects for the hummers to feed on.

Red or orange tubular flowers are most appealing to the birds. Some native Missouri plants to choose from include columbine, jewelweed, cardinal flower and phlox. Domesticated flowers hummingbirds find attractive include azalea, begonia, gladiolus, geranium, snapdragon, petunia, nasturtium, hollyhock and salvia. If you prefer flowering shrubs and trees, plant trumpet creeper and red buckeye (both native to Missouri) or honeysuckle and mimosa.

Jim Wilson says you'll find hummingbird behavior fascinating to watch. Many folks enjoy watching them guard their food sources. Hummers ward off intruders by swinging back and forth like a pendulum over flowers or a feeder. When this posturing doesn't work, a mad chase sometimes ensues, with the competitors filling the air with metallic chattering sounds.

You can look forward to watching hummers in the coming weeks. They start arriving in Missouri around the middle of April. Some stay throughout the summer, but most head further north. Expect the greatest number of them during their fall migration from August through early October.