| As the flowers fade away, birds who rely on their nectar get uneasy. Prepping for migration, hummingbirds look for other ways to fill up on food. "Feeders are just good sources of energy, fast food restaurants for the birds," said the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Jeff Harvey.
In fact, if you put out a feeder, the ruby-throated hummingbird is more likely to pay you a visit this time of year.
"Hummingbirds weigh the weight of one penny. When they're going into migration they double their weight to two pennies. Doesn't seem like a lot to us but they double the weight to get through migration," said Harvey.
Not only are hummingbirds more likely to come to your feeder in the fall, but there is also a higher number of hummingbirds in the area.
"There are a lot more hummingbirds out there because they've gone through nesting so you have an opportunity to attract a lot more of them," said Harvey.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common hummingbird on this side of the Mississippi. Many males have already started migrating, but the rest of the birds won't take leave until mid-October.
Hummingbirds will find your feeders the same way they find flowers. They look for a pop of color.
"They're looking for bright colored flowers which tells them there is a lot of nectar in those flowers."
And if you can lend your new neighbors a cup of sugar, you'll be able to give hummingbirds all the nectar they can eat.
"Sugar water. One part sugar, four parts water makes the equivalent to flower nectar," said Harvey.
Without feeders, hummingbirds will rely on insects to fill up before migrating. But if you're willing to put out a sweet treat, you'll get something a bit better than a birds-eye view of the ruby-throated hummingbird through mid-October.
You don't need a feeder to attract hummingbirds. Harvey says a bowl of sugar water with a red ribbon around it will do the trick.
But feeders for hummingbirds are designed to only attract hummingbirds, where a bowl of sugar will also attract bees and ants.
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