Hummingbirds are marathon migrators; just like other athlete, they need to fuel up before a big event. Whether it’s a ruby-throated hummingbird cruising 500 mile across the Gulf of Mexico or a rufous humming bird winging its way 3,000 miles from Mexico to Alaska, these thumb-size creatures must double their weight before they migrate, layering on fat that provide the energy they burn during the flight.
Eliminating pesticides in your yard can be a real advantage to hummingbirds, because protein from spiders and insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, and gnats make up more than half of an adult’s diet. Since young hummers feed almost exclusively on small insects, a chemical-free yard, containing some insect-pollinated flowers as well as plants that are pollinated by hummers, is crucial. To provide the birds at your feeder with extra protein, hang a basket with overripe fruit or banana peels nearby to attract tiny fruit flies.
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