Hummingbirds: Their Feeders and Food

Posted by Bob Bowers Oct 30, 2009

Hummingbirds, thought to have originated in Europe, are now only found in the western hemisphere. These little iridescent jewels are probably everyone's favorite, and the number of species found in Arizona, more than any other state, is one of the reasons I moved to Tucson seven years ago. Nine hummingbird feeders in my yard might be overkill, but these birds are aggressively territorial, so more feeders, spaced widely around the yard at least give the more timid ones a fighting chance.

For folks living in the eastern half of the U.S., multiple species is a new concept, since the only hummingbird found there is the Ruby-throated. Arizona is the hummingbird capital of the U.S., with 16 recorded species. In my yard, at 3,400 feet in the Santa Catalina mountains, I have counted 5 species, including Costa's, Anna's, Black-chinned, Broad-billed and Rufous.

My affection for hummingbirds has led to several articles, as well. I spent some time researching different feeders, leading to an article about which type of feeder is best for the birds (and for the people feeding them), and then to another reviewing three of the best feeders. A third article discusses their food, and how to make, store and use hummingbird food, a much cheaper proposition than buying commercial products.

My migrant Rufous hummingbirds have now (late October) moved south to Mexico for the winter, and the Black-chinned will shortly follow them. Last winter, during a stay in La Manzanilla on the west coast of Mexico, we set out two feeders which drew Black-chinned hummingbirds to our back deck. I'm certain I recognized at least two of them from my backyard in Arizona.