Hummingbird Information
I hope the hummingbird information provided here will inspire
you to attract these beautiful creatures into your yard.
I consider hummingbirds to be the most beautiful and fascinating of all the wild birds that visit my yard. Whenever one appears at my hummingbird
feeders or in my bird garden, I am somehow drawn to them.
I usually stop whatever I am doing to watch them, even if just for a few moments. I wonder in amazement at their flight, hovering as they sip nectar, going forward then backwards, then in the blink of an eye,they're gone.
General Hummingbird Information:
Hummingbirds are one of the bird world's most unique
creatures. They are the smallest of all birds measuring from 2" to 8" in length and weighing from 2 to 6 grams. Their wingspan is just 3" to 4". There are around 330 species of hummingbirds in the world and they are only found in the western hemisphere.
The only species of hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).
Adult Ruby-throated hummingbirds are metallic green above and grayish white below.
Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The adult male,
shown in the photo, has a glossy ruby red throat patch and a dark,forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch, though she may sometimes show light spotting on her throat. Because of it's extremely short legs, it can't walk or even hop. The best it can do is scoot along a perch. If it needs to, it can stretch its leg above its wing to scratch its head.
Other hummingbird species common to North America in the
summer are:
- Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus
sasin): Range: Southern California to Southwest Oregon
- Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna):
Range: West coast from Arizona to British Columbia
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
(Archilochus alexandri): Range: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, parts
of Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus
platycercus): Range: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, parts of
Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California
- Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula
calliope): Range: Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and western Montana
- Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus
rufus): Range: Pacific Northwest,
northern Rockies up to Alaska (photo)
Until recently, little has been known about hummers, but now more and more hummingbird information is becoming available. Much is being learned from an increasing number of hummers being banded ("Banding" means trapping a bird and wrapping a tiny numbered strip of aluminum around one leg).
Hummingbird information on migration has been provided through banding. Understanding hummer's migration patterns will help you to know when you should put out your hummingbird feeders.
Choosing the best hummingbird feeder will make your love of watching these little jewels easier and more enjoyable. There are basically two styles to choose from, the bottle or vacuum style and the dish style. You can click the link above to find out which style is best for you or learn how to make one yourself.
There are many commercially produced hummingbird foods. But why not make your own? It's easy, inexpensive and better for your hummers. Hummingbirds eat more than just nectar; insects and spiders are a big part of their diet. Using the right hummingbird
feeder recipe will attract more hummers to your feeders.
If you are having trouble attracting hummers to your bird
feeders, consider creating a natural hummingbird
habitat using the flowers, trees and shrubs that hummers love. With
a little hummingbird information you can increase your chances
of seeing these wonderful creatures.
Finding a hummingbird nest in your yard tells you that a female hummer has approved of the hummingbird habitat that you've created. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the fascinating flight pattern the male Ruby-throated hummingbird uses to attract a female.
I hope the hummingbird information you found here has inspired
you to at least put out a feeder or two. You will never tire of watching these little beauties as they go from your feeders to your flowers. If you are fortunate, they may even reward you with the privilege of watching them as they build a nest and create a new family right in your own yard. Happy Humming!
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hummingbird information page.
Here are morehummingbird pictures for you to enjoy.
Click here for some fun
facts about the hummingbird that you might not know.
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