In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the Top 10 Myths about Hummingbirds. Some of these are simply false and would mean no harm to our tiny feathered friends. However, some could pose a threat to the health and safety of these amazing creatures. We hope you find it educational and informative!
Myth one: Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of larger birds.
Let's face it, Hummingbirds are very tiny creatures. They have a maximum flight speed of around 25 miles per hour. Couple these facts with the idea that they have to travel hundreds, and sometimes THOUSANDS of miles and it's no wonder someone came up with this MYTH. It is false, however. To answer your question, "Do Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of larger birds?" The answer is a very clear "No.". Hummingbirds drink flower nectar eat tiny insects throughout Spring and Summer, and gain as much as 30% of their body weight in preparation for their multiple day journey South in Fall, and North-bound again in Springtime. (Bonus fact: They also migrate alone, not in flocks!)
Myth two: Hummingbirds Will Die if They Stop Flying.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds do NOT die if they stop flying. They often perch to rest, and at night, they enter a state called torpor to conserve energy, typically this occurs when it's colder outside, see Myth 8 below for more details on this!
(Reference: Audubon Society)
Myth three: Red Dye in Nectar Attracts More Hummingbirds.
Red dye is actually completely unnecessary and studies have been shown it to be harmful to hummingbirds. They are attracted to the color of the feeder itself, not the nectar. Stick to a simple sugar-water mixture (1 part sugar to 4 parts water (link to prior blog post)
(Reference: Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center)
Myth Four: Feeding Hummingbirds in Fall Prevents Them from Migrating.
Providing man-made nectar or natural flower-based nutrition for these Hummers in Fall will NOT stop hummingbirds from migrating. Migration is triggered by changes in daylight, not food availability, so keep your feeders out as long as hummingbirds visit and we even recommend leaving them out several weeks after you think they have moved on, just in case there are any stragglers or birds that were re-routed due to major storms, or released by a rehabber!
(Reference: Audubon Society)
Myth five: Hummingbirds Only Feed on Nectar.
While hummingbirds do certainly love their nectar, they also eat small insects like gnats, fruit flies, tiny aphids and even small spiders, which provide protein and other essential nutrients.
(Reference: National Geographic)
Myth six: Hummingbirds Are Aggressive and Fight Constantly.
Hummingbirds are definitely territorial, but they aren’t inherently aggressive. What does this mean exactly? Their "fighting" is usually about defending food sources, which is crucial for their survival, and this is largely due to their high energy needs. Additionally, some species are very social and gather in huge groups around food sources (Western United States and Canada), while the Eastern Ruby-throated hummingbirds are far more territorial and do seem to give chase to one another constantly.
(Reference: Audubon Society)
Myth seven: Hummingbirds Are Attracted to Scented Flowers or Sugar Water.
This is a pretty big Myth, folks! Did you know that Hummingbirds have NO sense of smell. They rely on their eyesight, and navigate toward bright colors, like red, to locate flowers and hummingbird feeders!
(Reference: Georgia Department of Natural Resources)
Myth eight: Hummingbirds Can’t Survive Cold Weather.
While hummingbirds prefer warmer climates, some species, like the Anna’s Hummingbird, can actually survive cold temperatures by slowing down their metabolism during torpor (a deep restful state.)
(Reference: Birds & Blooms)
Myth nine: Just before hummingbirds migrate, you should add some additional sugar to their nectar to give them a "boost".
This one has potential to harm our hummingbird friends. Multiple publications and universities have studied the man-made nectar equivalent and found that it is the closest formula to the level of sugars naturally occurring in flowering plants. Hummingbirds have been around for millions of years, and they have been drinking nectar all along. Who are we to mess with their proven methodology of feeding? In fact, too much sugar can harm the hummingbird's kidneys, not to mention a ration of more than 1 part sugar to 4 parts water will also be much more likely to attract bees and wasps to your feeders!
Myth ten: Hummingbirds Only Live for a Year or Two.
Look, hummingbirds certainly do have rapid metabolisms, and while that might suggest that they have short lifespans, hummingbirds can live much longer than that. Some species, like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird which we have in Georgia as well as along the whole East Coast, have been recorded living over 9 years!
(Reference: A stellar list by hummingbird species, brought to you by the American Bird Conservancy)
We hope this list has been educational and has helped you dispel some common myths that you may have spotted on social media or heard about from a friend or family member.
Our goal is to educate our birding friends and to protect our sweet hummingbird buddies at the same time! If you enjoyed this post, we would appreciate a comment, a like, or if you took the time to share it with a friend!
-Birds of West Cobb
(Lisa & Dan)