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Waves of Hummingbirds to Migrate South in August

By: Wild Birds Unlimited |  20 Shares     102 Reads

Wild Birds Unlimited Offers Tips to Attract Hummingbirds to Local Backyards

July 25, 2012 // Franchising.com // Carmel, Ind. – Beginning in August, millions of hummingbirds will travel to Mexico and Central America as part of an instinctive migration pattern that they have followed for hundreds of years. At speeds up to 60 mph, many hummingbirds will travel a non-stop, trans-gulf flight that takes approximately 18 - 22 hours and covers 500 - 600 miles.

“Considering that hummingbirds eat about every 10 minutes and can drink up to twice their body weight in nectar per day, there will be constant fly-by pit-stops along their route,” said Jim Carpenter, CEO and founder of Wild Birds Unlimited, the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores. “That makes this the ideal time to draw a crowd of hummingbirds into your own backyard.”

Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar, insects and sugar-water solution placed in specially designed feeders. Weighing as little as a penny, hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal, so it’s important that they have a high-calorie intake to sustain their migration. Carpenter offers the following feeding tips to make sure local residents don’t miss the migration:

• Plant the right flowers – hummingbirds are drawn to plants like Cardinal Flowers, Salvia, Columbines, and Bee Balm.
• Create your own nectar – it’s simply 4 parts water and 1 part sugar; visit here for instructions and tips.
• Have the right feeder – hummingbirds do not suck up nectar with their bills; they actually lap it up with their tongues, drawing nectar into their mouths almost 12 times a second. You can watch this remarkable tongue in action with a Wild Birds Unlimited Window Hummingbird Feeder, which features a transparent bowl that allows you to watch a hummingbird's long tongue and rapid lapping action.
• Incorporate red into your garden – red is a visual cue that lets hummingbirds know food is available; they don’t have an innate preference for the color red, but learn to associate certain colors with food. Try planting red flowers, using a red feeder, or even creating fun garden art with red materials.

For more tips on how to attract hummingbirds to your backyard during their migration, visit your local Wild Birds Unlimited location, or their website at www.wbu.com.

About Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit our Web site and shop online at www.wbu.com. To learn how you can open your own Wild Birds Unlimited, visit www.wbufranchise.com.

Media Contact:

Mary Hedge
Fishman Public Relations
847.945.1300
mhedge@fishmanpr.com

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