May 2025

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is pleased to partner with Wild Birds Unlimited to support songbird populations at the Garden! Together, we have refurbished the feeder station and will be offering new opportunities for ornithology education in 2025. As part of this initiative, Wild Birds Unlimited contributes a “Bird of the Month” feature to our newsletters, along with helpful tips and ideas for caring for your own backyard birds.

“Have you seen the hummingbirds?” is probably the most common question asked by bird- lovers in Arkansas this time of year. We all feel the rush when we look out and see a tiny, agile bird hovering by our flowers and feeders.

In NWA, the first hummingbird usually shows up in mid-March, although most people are lucky to see one before the first or second week of April. After an 18- hour flight across the Gulf, they continue their path as far north as Canada. As they go farther north, competition for nectar and insects gets less intense and the days get longer, allowing them more time to feed and raise their young. The male arrives first and the female shows up about two weeks after. She will build her nest and raise her young on her own, with no assistance from the male as he defends his own territory. They will raise two clutches per season, with two young per clutch.

Hummingbird identification here in Arkansas is usually fairly straightforward – we only have one species that regularly visits. Both males and females sport a green back and white belly, while males show off their throat patch (called a gorget) which varies in appearance from black to scarlet or orange depending on the light. Fun fact, the red on their throat is caused by the shape of the feathers themselves, rather than pigment!

To attract more hummingbirds to your yard, plant native plants that flower at different times of the year, from spring through fall. They also rely on small insects and spiders, so allowing them space to thrive will encourage your hummingbirds to visit more and stay longer. For hummingbird feeders, clear nectar in a red feeder is the easiest and safest bet. Feeders should be thoroughly cleaned every three days if temperatures are below 80°, every two days if temperatures are between 80-90° and every day if it’s above 90°. To prolong your nectar, check out Nectar Defender, a hummingbird-safe form of copper that keeps your feeder safe and healthy for up to two weeks!

If you would like to see more hummingbirds at the BGO bird-feeding station donate to the “Feed a Bird” fund! To find out more about hummingbirds and other Arkansas birds, or to pick out your new favorite feeder, visit Wild Birds Unlimited at one of our two locations: 745 E Joyce Blvd in Fayetteville and 2011 Promenade Blvd in Rogers.
Enjoy the birds!