All the Hummingbird Information You Need

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)

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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Here are more hummingbird pictures for you to enjoy.

Click here for some fun facts about the hummingbird that you might not know.

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