Every spring, a small number of daring hummingbirds arrive before the rest of the squad. These early males, known as scouts, claim the best feeding territories before the competition. If you know what to look for and act quickly, you could become their top hotspot. Here’s what to look out for and how to make your yard an attraction.
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Hummingbirds don't sing, but they communicate with high-pitched sounds. They also call to each other to warn of danger, or when they are fighting for their territory. As they migrate, they also make high pitched sounds to talk to each other. In the early spring you might hear insect like sounds from scout hummingbirds. If you hear these sounds near your house, it means a hummingbird is checking out your place. These sounds are quick and many people miss them. To catch a hummingbird's attention it's recommended to put up a red feeder because they are naturally attracted to red. Fill it with a sugar water mix of one part sugar and four parts water for their new home to fill it to the brim with sugar water. Place the feeder close to your porch and visible to the hummingbirds to rest and perch.
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FEED GARDEN Glass Hummingbird Feeder 16oz
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In most hummingbird species, males leave first to stablish feeding grounds first. Males will claim first pick on potential feeding locations to stablish the most productive area for breeding. In March, female scouts could be seen to indicate the arrival of the entire cohort. Hovering on your yard means that they have established that area as their territory, and will be feeding there quite often, along with other males. Providing multiple feeders will encourage males to stay by breaking their territory into a smaller competitive environment. The addition of native flowering plants will also increase feeding sources to keep their territory stablished. Once they arrive they will stay for the breeding season. They also use their territory as a feeding ground to keep their presence. The added feeders will also keep the scout from leaving as well as the other scouts from arriving.
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A solitary Ruby-throated Hummingbird visits and remembers every flower it has visited and how long it takes each one to refill. That is between 1,000–2,000 flowers a day!
Flowers Getting Drained
Have you noticed that your early-blooming flowers look more worn than usual? A single hummingbird can visit hundreds of flowers and feeds every 10-15 minutes! If you have tubular flowers such as penstemons, honeysuckles, or coral bells, and you notice little to no nectar in the blooms, or there are small holes in the petals, then you most likely have a hummingbird working your garden. Even if you haven’t seen any, this is a sure sign that scouts are close by. To attract more hummingbirds, create clusters of the same flower instead of single plantings. Hummingbirds prefer feeding spots with lots of flowers in close proximity. If you haven’t done so already, clean and fill your feeders. This will be extra important during the time of year when natural nectar sources are still limited. You will attract scouts with a combination of feeders and bright flowers.
Pro Tip
Male hummingbirds are very territorial. Placing feeders more than 10 feet apart and out of sight of each other allows you to attract more males without them chasing each other off.
Tiny Feeder Visitors
If you’ve had your feeder up since last season or have just put one out, get ready to check it daily for activity. Scout hummingbirds will sample just about anything after a long migration, even a tiny amount of sugar water. Look for clues like the liquid level drop, tiny bubbles, or scratches near the ports. They may be fast and easily startled, but if you see signs of feeding then there is one close by. Even if your feeder doesn’t look empty, you should clean and refill it every 3 to 5 days. Stale nectar will turn off hummingbirds, and a clean feeder will look more inviting. Try to put your feeder somewhere it can be seen from different angles, but close to a perch, like a stick or a the arm of a shepherd’s hook. Scouts will keep coming back to feeders that provide a reliable food source.
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Hummingbirds arrive in many areas weeks before most people would expect them. Depending on your location, scouts can arrive as early as late February or early March, well in advance of the majority of the migration. When you see a hummingbird flying around the yard and it is still cool out and not many flowers have bloomed, you are seeing a true scout. These early arrivals have been described as tough, hungry, and are looking for available nectar. In the southern states, be prepared, if it feels early, to have your feeders up by mid-March and early April up north. Combine the feeders and early-blooming plants with a clean water source from a misting system or shallow birdbath. Scouts always remember the reliable stops and if your yard delivers, you will be a regular layover spot for them for many years to come.
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