Dear ##firstname[Friend]##,

It seems as though everyone has hummingbird fever lately—including me! Our readers have been discussing their hummingbird sightings with one another after viewing this magnificent video. Have you seen your first hummingbird yet? Join the conversation!

You can always share your bird sighting with us on our Facebook page, too. We’ve got quite a talkative group, and a wealth of great information!

Danielle Calkins
Birds & Blooms

##\keycode.PSCopyHTML##

• READ ON TO DISCOVER...
• Regional Report
• Bird of the Month
• From the Expert
• Project of the Month
• Herbs for Hummingbirds

Regional Report

With spring well on its way, it's important for you to have updated birding and gardening information depending on where you live. Click on your region below to read more about your area on our Birds & Blooms blog.

• Southwest
• Midwest
• Northeast
• Northwest
• South Central
• Southeast

top

Bird of the Month: Bullock’s Oriole

The Bullock’s oriole is a western counterpart to the Baltimore oriole, and is attracted to sugar-water feeders and oranges.

Learn how to attract the Bullock’s oriole to your yard, and listen to their song.

top

From the Expert

I’ve heard you’re not supposed to add red food coloring to the sugar-water mixture for hummingbirds. Is this true?
—Florence Neilson, Duchesne, Utah

George: One of the older red food colorings was found to be toxic to birds, but with the new formulations, I don’t believe that’s still true. However, it isn’t necessary to dye sugar water for hummingbirds. The feeders usually have red or orange parts, which provide enough color to attract hummingbirds or orioles. Clean sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) will work just fine.

top

Project of the Month: Feeders for orioles

There are plenty of oriole feeders available for purchase, but these homemade feeders will save you a few dollars—and they’re super simple to make!

Choose the one you like best, and get building today!

top

Herbs for Hummingbirds

When planting a garden to attract hummingbirds, don’t forget they love herbs, too!

top