Hummingbirds

Male Rufous hummingbird

I love hummingbirds. My first close encounter with one was over ten years ago. I was in South Carolina visiting my mother's aunt and uncle. Aunt Maggie, Cousin Barbara, my mother and I were standing and talking under the wide-spreading shade of a pecan tree.

Something small and fast whizzed by my knee and startled me. I asked, "What was that!" My cousin Barbara, calmly answered, "a Hummingbird." I had never seen one close up before. I watched as the small compact iridescent green bird sparkled and shimmered in the shade of the tree. It move expertly from flower to flower. Its' long thin beak delicately poked in Canna Lily blossom after blossom. Then it whizzed off.

These small birds only occur in the Americas. There are eight species that breed in North America. They occupy almost all regions of the continent including Alaska. Most species migrate . Their migration period occurs in spring and summer. The arrival dates are about the same each year. They migrate between Central and North America.

We can attract them to our habitat gardens by providing food, water, cover and places to raise young.

We can plant spring-blooming, summer-blooming and autumn-blooming nectar plants to entice hummers to make our gardens their home. Feeders attract the birds with a special nectar recipe.

These are unique birds. Information and facts about them are sure to intrigue.

The more you learn about these fascinating fliers, the better habitat you will be able to create.

From Hummingbirds Return to Homepage

footer for hummingbirds page