A Pet's View / May 2005
Hmmm, Sweet Hummers
By Mary Santer
Hummingbirds are one of nature's most fascinating bird species to observe and welcome to the backyard. Most bird fans know that the hummingbird is the world's smallest bird, bur few are aware that hummingbirds are able to fly forward, backward, shift sideways and even stop in mid-air. Small, yet quick, hummingbirds can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour with their wings beating 78 times per second during regular flight and up to 200 times per second during a dive.
The hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,270 times a minute.
With this speed in mind, it is not surprising that an average hummingbird consumes half its weight in nectar each day. Providing nectar is a great way to attract these popular birds to the backyard.
Often referred to as "natures jewels" because of their beautiful iridescent colors, hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and insects, but also love a solution of sugar and water. To attract hummingbirds, place a feeder filled with a sugar-water solution in a convenient site in the yard. The solution can be made by combining one part sugar and four parts water and should be mixed well so the sugar dissolves completely. Note that water should be boiled if extra solution is going to be made to store. Allow the mixture to cool before filling the feeder, and refrigerate any additional solution. Never add honey, artificial sweeteners or food coloring to the mixture.
Hummingbirds do not have a sense of smell. They rely on eyesight to locate their food. The color red is a powerful attractant to hummingbirds as a visual cue that food is available. Hummingbirds are bold creatures, so place the feeder near a window to enjoy the brilliance of nature's jewels up close.
Supplement the nutrition from the feeder by creating a hummingbird garden with a combination of annuals, perennials and vines--such as Aloe, Beebalm, Beard Tongue, Butterfly Bush, Cardinal
Flower, Columbine, Coralbells, Delphinium, and Sages --that will also help in attracting hummingbirds to the yard.
Hummingbirds are also attracted to water. A mister placed in the yard will invite hummingbirds to dart playfully through the water, to bathe or drink.
There are 18 species of hummingbirds that can be found in North America. Seventeen can be found on the west coast while only one, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, lives east of the Mississippi and is most commonly seen in the Mid Ohio Valley.
For more information, visit Birds Unlimited
Mary Santer is the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Parkersburg. For more information, call (304) 485-9884 or email: sfml4wildbirds@aol.com.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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