Facts About The Hummingbird

Facts About the HummingbirdEven though the hummingbird is one of the smallest birds, they are one ofthe most interesting to watch. No other bird has the brilliant colors,coupled with a long beak and amazing acrobatic abilities! There may even besome facts about the hummingbird that surprise you.The HabitatThe ideal hummingbird habitat is an area with trees and shrubs for cover butclose enough to houses for additional food sources. Hummingbirds do come into flower gardens for meals, but they also rely on hummingbird feeders to provide additional sources of nectar. Sincehummingbirds drink most of their food, they don't necessarily need aseparate water source like a birdbath to draw them in.

The hummingbird will perch on branches near a feeder and 'guard' it. Nomatter if it is hungry or not, it will chase away another bird from a feederit considers all its own. The antics are funny to watch as they zip aroundthe house and through the yard. And while the two are chasing, a third mayhave snuck in to your feeder to get a drink! Unless you have a very largepopulation of hummingbirds, they will become territorial, especially atmating time.

The hummingbird will nest up close to a house or in the woods. Finding ahummingbird nest is a treat. It takes a skilled eye and a lot of patienceto find one, because they are small. The tiny bird has an even tinier nestwhere it lays its eggs each season. The nest is usually no bigger than aquarter in diameter and placed in a well hidden area. Hummingbirds preferV's in tree branches and bushes, or hidden spots in planters, trees andyard ornaments. Even if you have a dozen hummingbirds come to your yard,you may never find a hummingbird nest!

Variety

Hummingbirds have over 330 species that live in the Western Hemisphere.Warmer locations hold most species of hummingbirds, but the Ruby-ThroatedHummingbird is found in North America as far north as southern Canada and aseast as Maine. Since it is the only hummer found east of the MississippiRiver, it makes it one of the most popular breeds. A visit from a hummerwill signal that summer has truly come to your area.

When summer is over, the birds will migrate for the winter
to Mexico andSouth America. Hummingbird migration will happen no matter if you have foodout or not, so keep the feeders full until you are sure they are gone. Theyhave an internal indicator that tells them it is time to move to southernclimates. However, not all hummingbirds migrate. Warm locations inCalifornia and Texas will have hummingbirds year round at their feeders. Hummingbirds will return in the spring and nest and the cycle will begin allover again.

Facts about the hummingbird are interesting, mainly because the little birdis surprising strong and resilient. It undertakes an incredible migrationeach year, it requires tremendous energy to fly so fast and its tiny wingscan zoom faster than our eyes can see. Hang a hummingbird feeder in youryard if you don't already have one and see who comes to visit. You'llbe amazed.

By: Rob Huff

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About Author:
Rob Huff and his family have enjoyed attracting wild birds into their yardfor many years. This love of watching wild birds has grown into a hobbythat the whole family enjoys together. For more information on hummingbirds and attracting birds visit www.a-home-for-wild-birds.com