Hummingbirds: Flying Gems

There are over 350 types of hummingbirds. They come in all sorts of colors. Their colors are more vivid than most birds. 

Many birds owe their vibrant colors to the color of their feathers. But what makes a Hummingbird have such brilliant colors and appear iridescent is different than most other birds.

Hummingbirds have special stuff in their feathers that make them colorful. It is called melanosomes, and they look like flat pancakes with tiny bubbles inside. Because of their flat shape and bubbles, the light bounces off uniquely when sunlight hits them, making the feathers shine with different colors.

Also, scientists discovered that hummingbirds have many uniquely shaped feathers, making them super special and much more colorful than other birds.

Hummingbirds are speedsters! They flap their wings lightning-fast, up to 200 times per second. Their lightweight build helps them stay airborne, and fewer feathers mean they can zip through the air.

Imagine flying so fast you create a buzz! That's exactly what hummingbirds do – they flap their wings so rapidly that it hums, earning them their name.

During fancy courtship dives, these speed demons can zoom straight ahead at 20-45 mph and go super-fast at 60 mph. Whoosh! 🚀

But here's the cool part: they're not limited to forward flights. Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and even upside down with magical wings. Plus, they're the only birds that can hover like helicopters! 🚁

Most of their flying time is spent hovering in one spot, sipping sweet nectar. It's like they're floating in mid-air. This high-energy activity is powered by their sugary nectar diet. And guess what? They're such quick catchers. They can snatch insects right out of the air! 🦗✨

Hummingbirds are incredible creatures with high-energy needs. They eat a whopping half their body weight daily, visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers every 10-15 minutes. 🌸🍯

Their sharp memory helps them remember all the good spots, including your hummingbird feeder. You can attract these delightful fliers by offering a simple sugar water recipe: Mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water (e.g., 1/4 cup sugar with 1 cup water). Boil and cool before filling your feeder—no need for red dye or honey, which can be harmful.

Remember, keep the feeder clean, and only add enough food for a few days to avoid spoilage. Place it in the same spot in the shade for the hummingbirds to find. They'll become regular visitors until their migration in the fall. 🐦✨

Hummingbirds have a unique way of selecting their homes. Unlike some other birds, they don't use birdhouses. Instead, they build their own homes.

They are excellent builders, crafting their nests from spiderwebs, soft moss, and lichen, creating cozy little dwellings. The astonishing part? Their nests are as small as a coin, fitting in the palm of your hand!

Female hummingbirds spend about a week constructing flexible, bowl-shaped nests when it's baby time. They start with a sturdy base and weave in delicate spider silk to hold everything together. It's like crafting a tiny, feathered masterpiece! However, these nests are temporary and can't be reused.

The timing of hummingbirds' nesting varies depending on where they live. Some start as early as March, while it might be July in cooler areas. Some western hummingbirds, like the Anna's Hummingbird, even begin nesting in the first winter rains of November.

Hummingbirds are particular about their nest locations, preferring spots with nectar-rich flowers and hummingbird feeders. To attract them to your yard, plant native flowers they love, maintain a fresh water source, avoid harmful chemicals, and use well-maintained feeders.

Sleeping Habits: Like humans, hummingbirds are awake during the day and sleep at night. They usually sleep near or on their nests, but not always.

Here's a fun fact: Hummingbirds sleep in a special way called 'Hummingbird Torpor.' It's a bit like hibernation, with slowed metabolism, heartbeat, and breathing at night. They even hang upside-down on branches to stay cozy and survive cold nights. 😴🏡🌙

Did you know hummingbirds can fly really, really far? They travel thousands of miles during migrations, sometimes even over big oceans! They don't fly together, and the little ones somehow know where to go, just like their parents did.

They follow the flowers and insects as they move, especially in spring when there are many insects to eat. They start their journeys in January or February, flying north and returning in July or September, heading south. The sun and the length of the day tell them when it's time to go. You can help late travelers by leaving out a feeder!

When they travel, they look for nectar-producing flowers, but insects are important too, especially for baby hummingbirds. In spring, there are many insects for them to eat and grow healthy. So, hummingbirds follow the seasons and the sun on their amazing adventures!

You've got the power to make a difference in your yard and help our tiny friends, the hummingbirds, thrive! 🌸🐦 Here are some tips to create a hummingbird-friendly space:

#1 Creating and improving their habitat. Plant native flowering plants and maintain native trees, shrubs, and vines on the landscape.

#2 Protect them from cats. Hang your hummingbird feeders up high, at least five feet above the ground. This way, it's harder for cats to reach them.

Place your feeders where you can see them easily, so you can spot any cats that might come too close to the birds. 

If you have a pet cat and love hummingbirds, consider keeping your cat indoors. Cats are quick, just like hummingbirds, and this keeps everyone safe.

#3 Provide snags for clear sight lines. Hummingbirds are always alert for food resources, predators, and other hummingbirds' presence. Dead branches provide great lookouts. 

#4 Spread out the resources. Because they are combative, hummingbirds can use some space when possible. Planting flower patches in several parts of your yard or separating your feeder locations may give less aggressive hummingbirds the needed space.

#5 Don't use chemicals that may harm insects, birds, and other wildlife. Hummingbirds eat small insects and feed many of them to their young.

#6 Provide water. A mister or dripper over your birdbath may be just the bathing opportunity hot hummingbirds need this summer. Hummingbirds won't normally visit a regular birdbath.

#7 Help prevent window strikes - Experts estimate that up to 1 billion birds die yearly from window strikes. Here are a few suggestions to help.

• Keep the screens on your windows.
• Install window film to help reduce glare.
• Attach a feeder to a window.
• Close curtains and blinds whenever possible.
• Hang a wind chime in front of a window.
• Add a sunshade or keep blinds down when possible.

Following these steps, you can create a hummingbird haven in your backyard. 🏡 Help protect these incredible birds and enjoy their vibrant visits all season long! 🌞🌼 #Hummingbirds #BackyardBirds #NatureLovers