Hummers
These tiny birds are known mostly for their remarkable colors
and incredible motions of flight.
Colors and Species
Hummers come in so many colors. Shimmering greens, vibrant reds, violets, blues, and lots of other gorgeous colors. As for the species, their are the Calliopes, Blue and Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Costas, and many more. The Ruby-throated is the most popular. Calliopes are my favorite. They are green with red throats somewhat like the ruby-throated kind.
Click below for some wonderful pics.
Flight
Being able to rotate its wings in all directions (like a figure eight) allows it the capabilities of amazing flights. Like hovering in the air, flying backwards and upside down. Few other birds can do this. Another unique thing about the hummers flight, with its tiny wings, while moving so rapidly, make a humming sound all its own.
Click the the link below for some amazing photos.
To Know
A hummingbird needs to eat twice its weight in food every day. They expend so much energy.
Each hummer makes different noises, depending on the speed of its wings.
They don't fly at night, instead they go into torpor (somewhat like hibernation), that lasts through the night.
Males are more attractive than the females, more colorful, brighter.
They love red flowers, quince, lobelia, impatiens, and many others. They will also feed on honeysuckle, fuchsia, salvia, nicotiana, lantana, beebalm, foxglove, petunias, nasturtium, lilacs, scarlet runner bean and other tube-shaped flowers.
Insects and nectars from flowers is its main source of food. They provide more nutrition; nectar-carbohydrates and insects-protein.
Hummingbirds need water, but will not drink or bathe in most birdbaths; too deep for them. Instead prefer to flit in and out of a fine spray, like a mister or a shallow basin with a waterfall.
They need thick shrubs and trees for shelter, perching, and nesting.
Hummers live in the woods, orchards, deserts, canyons, around streams and tropical areas, and in our gardens. Forest in the wintertime.
Lifespan is usually about 5 years, some are more.
