Innehållsförteckning för June/July 2021 från Birds & Blooms

Several months ago I wrote the foreword for The Hummingbird Handbook, a book we partnered with author John Shewey and Timber Press to bring you. To prepare, I reflected on the thousands of amazing snapshots and stories that have crossed my desk over the years—epic hummingbird happenings from elated bird-watchers across the country. It has never been more clear to me that these fast-flying little gems elicit more emotion, joy and excitement than other birds. The Hummingbird Handbook is truly a complete guide to everything you’ve wanted to know about these beloved fliers. Get a short snippet of the book in “Hummingbird Hot Topics” on page 40. Also in this issue, indulge in 14 awe-inspring photos taken by backyard bird-watchers like you in “Hummingbird Tales” on page 24. To capture…

Sugar-water recipe Fill feeders with this easy, expert-approved formula. 1. Combine 4 parts hot water to 1 part refined white sugar. Consider using boiling water if you have poor water quality or are storing it for later. 2. Mix until the sugar is completely dissolved. 3. Set aside to cool. Once it’s room temperature, pour it into a feeder or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. WHAT TO SKIP Leave these ingredients out of homemade sugar water: Brown sugar Honey Powdered sugar Artificial sweeteners Red dye…

1 FIND THE SHADE Hang feeders in shadier spots to discourage bees from taking over, as they prefer sunny locations. 2 CHOOSE WISELY When selecting a feeder, pick one with a wide opening to make cleaning easy. Scrub it once every few days, more often in hot weather. 3 CONSIDER PERCHES Purchase a feeder with perches to give hummers opportunities for a brief rest, but keep in mind that orioles—also sugar-water lovers—may stop by, too. 4 GO BOLD Look for red! Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to the color, so choose a feeder with red features to draw extra attention. 5 BLOCK BUGS Certain insects, like yellow jackets and ants, are drawn to sugar water. To help keep them at bay, install nectar guard tips or ant moats. 6 AVOID THE…

The scientists performed outdoor experiments with wild hummingbirds to test how well they see different ultraviolet colors. They engineered special LED tubes that emitted several colors, both on the visible and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. They placed the LED tubes next to two feeders. The one with plain water did not give off ultraviolet rays and another with sugar water did give off UV light. They trained hummingbirds to associate the UV light with the reward of sugar water and regular light with plain water. When scientists rearranged the placement of the feeders, similar to the Pavlovian dog experiment, the hummingbirds were still more quickly drawn to the feeder giving off ultraviolet light—which proved that the birds could tell the difference between the one emitting the special rays and the normal…

Blue Jay Columbine Aquilegia ‘Blue Jay’, Zones 3 to 9 Part of the Songbird series, these flowers are gigantic, spanning nearly 3 inches wide. Blue Jay offers violet-blue and snowy white petals with flamboyant yellow accents. It does best in well-draining soil and may resist rabbits and deer. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun to part shade. Size: 2¹/₂ feet tall and nearly as wide. Grown for: Containers, cottage plantings or shade gardens. Foliage: Dark green. Cultivars to try: Other blooms from the series, such as pink and red Cardinal or yellow Goldfinch columbine, offer similar benefits. WILDLIFE BENEFITS Watch for hummingbirds to buzz by these huge blooms. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators might stop to sip the nectar, too.…

1 Cardinal flower LOBELIA CARDINALIS ZONES 3 TO 9 The blooms of this North American native have five petals that come together to form a tube. The shape baffles some insects, so the cardinal flower relies on hummingbirds for pollination. Give this plant the consistent moisture it enjoys in its natural habitats: swamps, streambanks and other damp, semi-shaded areas. Why we love it: Blooms in the richest shade of scarlet prove you can have vivid color even in the shadiest corners of a landscape. 2 Bleeding heart LAMPROCAPNOS SPECTABILIS ZONES 3 TO 9 Send a special valentine to the hummingbirds with these heart-shaped flowers. They are a classic companion to ferns and hostas in a shade garden, and they thrive in the same cool, moist conditions. Blooms and leaves fade by…

Q A male ruby-throated hummingbird likes to zoom back and forth quickly while making a high-pitched chirping noise in my yard. What’s he doing? Kelly Kothenbeutel MAZEPPA, MINNESOTA Kenn and Kimberly: Male ruby-throated hummingbirds put on impressive rituals called shuttle displays as part of their courtship behavior. A male quickly zooms from side to side in a shallow arc with his throat feathers flared out, making a loud whirring noise with his wings. This display is usually directed at a female, but she may be hard to spot if she’s hidden in the foliage of a tree or shrub and is just watching without reacting. Q What is this lovely plant that grew on its own? I thought it was a weed, but my wife didn’t want to pull it.…

ALL AFLUTTER Varying elevations offer incredible variety. Costa Rica isn’t just a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor adventures—it’s a bona fide bird paradise. The country is home to at least 50 species of hummingbirds—about three times the number found in the U.S. Expect astonishing diversity, whether you’re in the rambling mountains or in the dense rainforests, and always have binoculars at the ready. Research COVID-19 international travel restrictions before booking a trip. 1 Grab a bite to eat and keep your eyes open for hummingbirds at a delightful roadside diner, Galeria de Colibries y Restaurant Cinchona. The back patio offers the best seats in the house, especially to spot the coppery-headed emerald, found solely in Costa Rica. 2 Head to the mountains and stay at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, a fantastic place…

answers on the bottom True or False? A. THOUGH RARE, rose bushes can have blue blooms. B. THE FAMOUSLY BLUE cornflower is also known as bachelor’s button. C. IT’S POSSIBLE TO CHANGE A BIGLEAF hydrangea’s blooms to blue by adjusting your soil’s pH level and aluminum content. ANSWERS 1. TEXAS BLUEBONNET 2. HIMALAYAN BLUE POPPY 3. WILD BLUE FLAX 4. FORGET-ME-NOTS 5. COLORADO BLUE COLUMBINE A. FALSE B. TRUE C. TRUE…

Hummingbirds, with their flashing feathers and mesmerizing wings, never fail to catch the eye and lift the spirit. Fortunately, it’s easy to draw these flying gems to your garden with fuel-providing feeders and native plants. Anusha Shankar, a postdoctoral fellow conducting research at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, explains why these magnificent birds are always on the hunt. She says, “Hummingbirds need to eat constantly because they use up energy very quickly. If we had their metabolic rate, we’d need to eat 300 hamburgers a day to survive!” Nectar feeders are a popular choice for attracting these fliers. Put feeders out a few weeks before hummingbirds are expected in spring, and leave them up until the birds head south again in the fall. In areas where hummers are year-round residents,…

Every garden needs water to thrive—especially if the garden is container-based. When you’re dealing with a smaller amount of soil, watering is vital for plants to look their best. Don’t overdo it, though. “Proper drainage is just as important as the amount of water added to the container,” says Andrew Holsinger, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Follow these tips to give your pot exactly the splash it needs. BE MINDFUL OF SOIL TYPE Skip the garden soil in containers because it won’t drain properly. Look for potting mixes that include vermiculite or perlite to help with drainage. Also, remember soil is food. A good balance of compost and occasional fertilizer will provide the nutrients plants need. THINK BIG PICTURE Choose a container based on which plants you want to…

Hummingbirds are tiny marvels of nature, fascinating us every time they flutter by. Chalk it up to the speed at which their long, thin tongues draw nectar from flowers (up to 13 times per second) or to their ability to use their sturdy tail feathers to make hairpin turns. Still, one of the most interesting aspects of hummingbirds is not apparent to the naked eye. In fact, it was realized only in the last few years. A recent study published by the National Academy of Sciences called “Wild Hummingbirds Discriminate Nonspectral Colors” suggests that hummingbirds see the world in a range of brilliant colors, of which humans can only dream. Science of the Eye A hummingbird’s relatively large eyes are wired to pick up many more hues than human eyes…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the April/May issue, we hid it on page 19. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on May 4, 2021, and ends on July 7, 2021. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email: customercare@birdsandblooms.com Visit:…