Attract More Hummers!

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Hummingbirds - Joyas Voladoras 

When the Spanish first saw hummingbirds in the New World, they called them joyas voladoras; flying jewels. Hummingbirds are often described as gem-like or jewel-like because of their brilliant iridescent coloring. Some hummingbirds are iridescent all over while on others, the brightest colors appear on the gorget, an area on the front of the bird's neck. Usually the female birds do not exhibit the brightest colors, but they still have an iridescent sheen about them. The color on a hummingbird isn't caused by pigment in their feathers. Instead, the top layer of a feather is covered with special cells that break up light. As the birds hover and dive, light strikes the cells in their feathers at just the right angle and suddenly you see a flash of brilliant color; a flying jewel!  

Did you know that hummingbirds are only found in the South, Central and Northern Americas? There are no hummingbirds in Europe, Asia, Africa or Hawaii. There have been fossils of hummingbirds found in Germany, but why these birds became extinct in the eastern hemisphere isn't known. There are 16 species of hummingbirds that breed in North America, mostly in the western and southwestern regions of the US. Some lucky birders in this area might have several types of hummingbirds in their yards, where different species overlap. Only the Ruby Throated hummingbird is found east of the Mississippi and in Central Canada, although Calliope and Rufous hummingbirds have been seen rarely in the southeast during autumn. There are another 6 species of hummingbirds from Mexico and the Caribbean that sometimes visit the southwestern states. 

Attracting hummingbirds to hummingbird feeders is a well-loved pastime in the United States. A hummingbird diet consists of flower nectar and insects, but sugar and water nectar in feeders is also a favorite. To make your own hummingbird nectar, use 1 part plain white table sugar mixed with 4 parts of water. Although some people just stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, it's probably best to boil the mixture for about 2 -3 minutes to remove any impurities in the water or sugar; then let it cool before filling your feeders. Don't use any other type of sugar or sugar substitute. Better yet, buy prepared nectar powder and just add water according to directions. Hummingbirds need to eat about 7 to 10 times an hour, but seeking out nectar only takes up about 30% of their day! The other 70% of the time, the birds are singing, sunbathing or preening their feathers. 

There are lots of interesting facts about hummingbirds. The smallest bird on earth is a hummingbird called the Bee hummingbird. It comes from Cuba and measures only 2 1/2 inches long and weighs only 1.95 grams; that's less than the weight of two paperclips! The largest of the hummingbirds is found in the Peruvian Andes. This bird is called the Great Hummingbird for good reason. It is 8 1/2 inches long, but still only weighs 19 grams. That's about the weight of three quarters and a penny! In all, there are over 300 species of hummingbirds.

Few of us will ever see a hummingbird's nest although they are very common, because the birds have a good way of disguising it. First they weave the nest with spiders' silk and then cover the outside with lichens for camouflage. Although the nests are usually about 5 feet off the ground, they are only 1 1/2" in diameter and blend right in with the foliage. The two tiny eggs that are usually laid could easily be covered with a penny! Once the female hummingbird lays her eggs, the male is no longer welcome. She incubates the eggs until they hatch and feeds the nestlings herself. Within 4 weeks, the nestlings are flying and on their own.

If you're interested in attracting hummingbirds, put hummingbird feeders in a shady place and clean them often, about twice a week. If you plan on more than one feeder, space them well apart. Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their own special feeding spot. If you live in the south, hummingbirds return from their wintering grounds as early as February. In the north, have your feeders out by "tax day", April 15th. When the weather is good, also try planting bright flowers with a tubular shape. Hummingbirds will come to trumpet vine, petunias, and even red runner bean flowers! Soon your yard will be whirring with the wings of the tiny joya voladora!

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• Posted at Friday, April 18, 2008 08:30 AM
• In Wild Bird Feeding Category | Permalink