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A male Ruby-throated hummingbird was seen this past week, so now is the time to put out your hummingbird feeders. More male hummingbirds will be seen visiting feeders as they migrate north. Female hummingbirds will soon follow. Some may go farther north, while some will stay to nest and raise their young.
Remember these simple tips when feeding hummingbirds:
• Make your own homemade nectar by adding ¼ cup of sugar (don’t use honey or any other sweetener) to 1 cup of boiling water and mix well. Boiling the water will help the nectar last longer. Nectars with red dye could be harmful to hummingbirds.
• Change the nectar in your feeders at least once a week in cooler temperatures and once every 2 - 3 days when temperatures are above 80 degrees. Nectar can ferment and spoil as well as grow bacteria or fungus which can be dangerous to hummingbirds.
• Keep feeders clean! Use only vinegar and water to clean feeders. Trace amounts of cleaners, left in feeders after thorough rinsing, can harm hummingbirds.
Learn more about attracting hummingbirds at this Missouri Department of Conservation website: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/bird-feeding/attracting-hummingbirds
 Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
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