A female Ruby throated Hummingbird buzzed right by my head after a thunderstorm ended.
Just before hummingbirds migrate, they start to intensely feed in an attempt to gain weight and fat. This behavior called hyperphagia.
These tiny birds will consume up to 50% of their weight in sugar each day from flower nectar and feeders, with insects providing the remainder.
This is why it’s so important to keep your Hummingbird feeders up and filled in September here in N.C.
It’s a good idea to leave your feeders up throughout the autumn as many other species migrating from the north & west will stop here to feed just as the Ruby Throated variety are on the way out.
Photo by @sally_siko