Ask the Experts

The pros share their knowledge and answer reader questions

- Kimberly and Kenn Kaufman, Melinda Myers

Q Shortly after the hummingbirds show up in April, they disappear for a week or two and then return. I thought they were building nests, but why would males also stop visiting feeders if they don't help build nests?

Donna Gendusa MILLVILLE, NJ

Kenn and Kimberly: Even early in the breeding season, when male ruby-throated hummingbirds are actively courting and females are building nests, they should continue to visit local feeders and other food sources regularly. We suspect what's happening in your area is that migrants are passing through in mid-April, pausing for a few days and visiting your feeders while they are there. After these migrants continue north, there may be a lull in activity before the arrival of the hummingbirds that will stay to nest in your neighborhood.

Should birds be fed during the summer?

Joe Reed TERRE HAUTE, IN

Kenn and Kimberly: The main reason to feed birds is to bring them up close where we can watch them. They don’t really need our handouts, except very rarely during extreme weather, but there’s no reason to stop feeding them in summer. For summertime feeding, we recommend using smaller amounts of high-quality food, such as black oil sunflower and Nyjer seeds, and varying the offerings with things such as orange halves, apple slices, peanuts or small amounts of grape jelly.

I found this bird on my doorstep. Can you help identify what kind of bird this is?

Melanie Troutner MYERSVILLE, MD