About Hummingbirds Adorable Summer Birds

About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are perhaps one of the most popular and fascinating backyard birds. These amazing birds thrill us with their tiny size and fast-moving wings. They are shy when they first arrive. After a while, they become friendly. With patience and a little luck, they will feed right in your hand. Without a doubt, everyone wants to attract hummingbirds to their yard. In addition to nectar, hummingbird food includes insects.

A Hummingbird flaps its wings 55 times per second! As a result, they use a lot of energy and require high-energy food. Nectar is the high-energy food source they require. Surprisingly, they eat more insects than nectar.

Did You Know? There are over 300 species of Hummingbirds. But, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the only one that summers west of the Mississippi River.

Having a feeder filled with nectar near a window where you can view the birds, is a great pleasure. When you buy a feeder, nectar is often included. After that is used up, you can quickly and easily make nectar at home. How to Make Hummingbird Nectar

Today’s Quote: Hummingbirds are the vampires of the bird world.” – – Sheldon Cooper, Big Bang Theory

Hummingbird Identification

Most species measure 3-5 inches long. The adult Calliope hummingbird is just 3.5 inches. However, the Bee Hummingbird is the smallest species at just 2 inches long.

Which weighs more, a nickel or a Hummingbird? A nickel weighs 5 grams. The average hummingbird only weighs four grams.

Life Cycle

There are several species of hummingbirds. The life span of most species is 3-5 years. They have been known to live up to 12 years.

During the summer, they usually have one brood per season. In their winter homes, they sometimes have two broods. Females lay 1 to 3 eggs, usually 2. The eggs are very small, about the size of a jellybean. Eggs hatch in 16-18 days. Newborn birds are featherless, dark-skinned, and have stubby beaks.

In North America, these birds take up residence in the summer.

Seasonal Migrations: Given their tiny size, these birds travel an amazing distance. They migrate to South and Central America in the Fall of the year. In the spring, they return to North America following long-established migration routes.

Hummingbirds Diet

The birds sip the nectar of a wide range of flowers. See below for garden flowers you can grow to attract and feed them. Nectar is one of their favorite foods. It is simply sugar water in a brightly red-colored hummingbird feeder. Place the feeder near a window, or at the feck railing, and you’re in for a summertime show. How to Make Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

Surprisingly, the birds eat more insects than nectar. Ants are their favorite.

When active, the birds will visit your hummingbird feeder every 10-15 minutes. They can consume up to their weight in nectar each day. They need this high-energy hummingbird food to fuel their high energy flight.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Gardeners…You’ve got the edge in attracting hummingbirds to your backyard. Grow any of the flowers below. The best flowers to attract them are red in color, and tubular in shape.

Angel Trumpet

Astilbe
Bee Balm
Calibrachoa or Million Bells
Canna
Cardinal Climbers
Cathedral Bells
Cleome
Cypress Vine
Day Lily
Delphinium
Four O’Clock
Hollyhocks
Mina Lobata / Spanish Flag
Morning Glory
Nemesia
Nicotiana
Penstemon