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Re: Ripley Garden hummingbird, (12/16)

From:

"George M. Jett"

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sat, 18 Dec 2004 19:54:24 -0500

Pat

On at least two occasions Selasphorus hummingbirds have over wintered in our 
region, although they generally they leave around January 15.  They are 
hearty little birds but need to eat well at least once per day when it is 
real cold.  Black-chinned and Ruby-throated don't do as well in colder 
weather.  That's why they migrate early.

All hummingbirds slow there heart rate down to conserve fat when sleeping. 
Many hummingbirds live at high elevations and have evolved to tolerate cold 
weather.

It is important to make sure the feeder stays liquid.  You can wrap it in a 
heating pad or put a light bulb near it.  Take it in at night during cold 
weather (below 20 F) since the bird is sleeping anyway.  If it freezes 
during the day, put out another feeder.  Increase the sugar content for 
winter feeding also to two to one if real cold.

Mary Gustafson can tell you (us) much more about hummingbirds and cold 
weather.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Patricia Valdata" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Ripley Garden hummingbird, (12/16)


> Is it a good thing to have a hummingbird feeder up in the winter?
> How can those tiny birds possibly survive the the coming months in
> the Maryland area? We routinely have temperatures in the 20s,
> as they were this morning. That can't be easy on their metabolisms.
>
> --Pat
>
>
> Pat Valdata, Elkton, MD | 
> "The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards
> and carry that which is heavy up to the place where dwells the race of 
> gods.
> More than any other thing that pertains to the body
> it partakes of the nature of the divine." --Plato
>