Ruby-throated Hummingbird Science Project

Background: Ruby-throated hummingbirds feed on the nectar from flowers and hummingbird feeders. However, ruby-throated hummingbirds are territorial, and they will defend sources of food from other ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Experiment: Will you have more ruby-throated hummingbirds in your yard if you space your hummingbird feeders far apart and not in direct sight of each other?

Materials: 3 hummingbird feeders

Nectar:

Use warm water and sugar. The ratio is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.

Do not use any food dye or honey.

Methods: You can test the experiment by first putting 3 feeders close (a few feet) together in direct sight and then trying to count the birds. Second, space the feeders far from each other and out of direct sight of each other and then count the hummingbirds again. You can do the experiment simultaneously if you have more feeders.

Conclusion: Determine if you are able to bring more ruby-throated hummingbirds to your yard by spacing the feeders and not having them in direct sight of the other feeders.