Nectar nibblers and caterpillar killers in our gardens

Soon we will be in full swing with our ornamental and vegetable gardening activities.  As we prepare our soils, perform various pruning and weeding tasks, transplant seedlings, and plant various things in our yards and gardens, it is rather comforting to know that some additional garden helpers are already residing close by or are on their way into our region to assist and make our efforts even more successful!

Some of the more eye-catching, active and entertaining garden helpers are the hummingbirds that begin making their appearances in the early spring. These tiny birds undertake some of the longest-known migratory flights in order to reach the United States and our area! The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is probably the most common species in our region. Its name is derived from the conspicuous, red-colored throat of mature males. However, a caution to remember, is that the bright, iridescent colors of the hummingbird’s feathers are actually based on their shape and structure and not colored pigments! If you closely observe a male Ruby-throated hummingbird as he turns his head different directions, you will see his ‘red throat’ change colors! The red color is distinctly seen as the bird is facing straight toward you; otherwise, his head and throat may appear rather black in color. Females (called hens) lack the red throat and have greenish heads and backs, white throats, and black tails with white tipped feathers.

Hummingbirds seem to be most attracted to red and orange colored flowers, but many will also explore plants with flowers of other colors as possible sources of their nectar food. During the process of obtaining nectar from our flowers, hummingbirds also help pollinate the plants by bumping and nudging the flowers while hovering over them with rapidly beating wings. In fact, you may often hear the hummingbird’s buzzing wing beats before you actually see the diminutively-sized birds! These tiny birds also catch small insects on the wing or when hovering over flowers and foliage. Hummingbirds may be encouraged into our yards and gardens by placing special feeders filled with a sugar/water mixture or simply by planting a variety of annual or perennial flowering plants. You may want to hang more than one nectar feeder from trees, shrubs, or garden hooks. Also, pay attention to the liquid levels in the feeders because, although these little hovering acrobats and pollinators are tiny in size, they consume surprisingly large quantities of nectar/food each day!

A couple of resident garden helpers in our area are the small, very active, and "nervous" wrens. Bewick’s Wren and the Carolina Wren are our most common residents. These small birds have distinct, white eyebrows and relatively long tails which they tend to flick about when perching and foraging for food. Bewick’s Wren tends to be a pale brown color with pale underparts; whereas, the Carolina Wren is usually distinguished by its richer brown color and lack of white corners on its tail. Bewick’s and Carolina wrens inhabit our parks, wooded areas, stream sides, backyards, and gardens.

Wrens are very active prey seekers. They climb and cling to the tree trunks, hop along branches and twigs, probe into and around bark, and even flip over and probe underneath leaf litter for possible food sources. The birds will adroitly pluck their prey directly from the plants that garden pests may be feeding upon. Adult Carolina Wrens live in pairs and tend to vocalize and forage as a duet! Food items of wrens include caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, many other types of garden-harming insects, and even snails. Therefore, our little wrens help control pesky insect and gastropod populations in our gardens!

Another little resident helper that you may spot in trees and shrubs throughout the area is the Carolina Chickadee.  Carolina Chickadees have black heads and bibs with distinct white cheeks between. Wings and tails are greyish with intermixed white edgings and the belly color is mostly white with a pale, buffy color toward the wings. These friendly, sociable birds are found in wooded areas, parks, and similar habitats throughout our area.

Carolina Chickadees forage for food items almost exclusively on trees and shrubs (sometimes even hunting for food while upside down) but seldom come to the ground. Caterpillars make up the major part of the Carolina Chickadee’s spring and summer diet but they have a diverse diet which includes seeds, berries, aphids, beetles, true bugs, other insects, and spiders.

Let’s welcome these garden helpers when we see them and appreciate their positive effects for our gardens and yards! As additional bonuses, if you do decide to hang up some nectar feeders to attract hummingbirds to your area, you also may lure in some orioles, woodpeckers, and other species to help with some of your garden chores!

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Nectar nibblers and caterpillar killers in our gardens