Hold Tightly Onto Your Food

​     This is one of those pictures I wish would have been in perfect focus, a young Ruby-throated hummingbird grabbing on to the stamen of a Fuchsia flower while it tries to feed. This is very common behavior for young birds. They lack the proper coordination to fly and feed at the same time, so they try to sit on their food. As they get older they will fly and feed, and if it's just too awkward, they'll bypass that flower and move to another. Watch for this behavior as the young start to leave the nest this year.
     This is a perennial which is grown as an annual for cooler climates. Fuchsia plants are one of the best flowers for hummingbirds. They provide an abundance of nectar and actually come in many varieties. This perennial likes cooler temperatures (ideally in a partly sunny location) with a fair bit of moisture. It doesn't like to dry out. It will flower prolifically throughout the summer if given these conditions. Once the hummingbirds locate it, they will return over and over. Try other varieties as well, as there are many others that are just as effective and more. 
     Remember, flowers are key to attracting the young birds once they've left the nest. They rely not only on flowers, but great nectar filled ones, until they solve the feeders. If you have a mostly shady location to try one of these flowers, it's well worth it, especially for our little feathered friends.
Juvenile Ruby-throat, located N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta. 2015

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