Hummingbirds - facts about migration, torpor, feeder behavior, aggression, lifespan, speed, gorgets and diet

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Interesting facts about hummingbirds. Many pages full of hummingbird information.

Facts about hummingbirds

Eight pages of facts about hummingbirds include migration, hummingbird feeders, how to attract them, and recommended hummingbird books.

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Hummingbirds in North America

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HUMMINGBIRDS: FLASHY, FEARLESS FAVORITES

Hummingbirds are found only in the Western Hemisphere. They are fierce and fearless despite their diminutive size. When it comes to defending their nectar or sugar water feeders, you can expect the males to pursue any interlopers right out of your yard. They will not hesitate to collide with another bird. They can fly backwards and upside down if they have to.

Hummingbird Animation
© 2005 B-N-G

Males arrive at the chosen breeding grounds before the females. They need to choose a territory which will support them and therefore give them the ability to produce a healthy next generation. Males will often establish a favorite perch from which to watch their territory and food supply. From here, they will reign over their own empire. Another hummingbird might try to sip from these forbidden nectar sources only to have the male speed up behind them with all the intimidation power that such a tiny emperor can display.

A male has to compete for more than food. He has to so impress a female during courtship that she will choose him as a mate. My hummingbirds fly in the typical giant U-shaped pattern. This can be a show of aggression or the male might be showing a female just how splendid his gorget (colorful throat area) looks in the sunlight by gaining her attention with this flight display. Occasionally, a short display consists of zipping from side to side directly in front of another bird. Different hummingbirds have different displays during which they might vocalize or buzz their wings. These acrobatic moves are compelling to watch.

Approximately 16 hummingbird species breed within the US. In the east, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common but rufous hummingbirds seem to show up all over the map so you can never rule them out. We also expect to see Black-chinned hummingbirds here in central Texas and to the west. Buff-bellied hummingbirds can be found along the Gulf coast. To the west of us, you can watch for Allen's, Anna's, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Magnificent, Costa's and Lucifer hummingbirds to name a few.

Hummingbird Animation
© 2005 B-N-G

I have compiled a list for over twenty years that includes plants which will help attract hummingbirds, wild birds and butterflies. If you would like to look it over, please visit my Gardening page for more details.

Visit my Gardening to Attract Hummingbirds page
for more detailed information.

Remember that hummingbirds eat insects. They need more than your nectar sources to survive. Do not use pesticides to wipe out the bugs in your yard. Tiny spiders and tiny flying insects might not appeal to you but they are "meat and potatoes" to a hummingbird.

HUMMINGBIRD LIFESPAN

In captivity, hummingbirds can
survive for more than 10 years.
In the wild 3 to 5 years is more likely.

MISC. HUMMINGBIRD FACTS

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds commonly found east of the Mississippi.
Females take care of the nest.
Males defend the territory.
Males are polygynous - having more than one female mate.
Many native North American plants depend exclusively on hummingbirds to pollinate them.
Put a mister in your yard to attract this bathing beauty.
Hummingbirds will bathe on big leaves such as cannas.
Hummingbirds range in size from about 2 1/4" to 8 1/2".
A female can care for more than one nest at a time. She might be building a nest while caring for already-hatched babies.
They do not migrate on the backs of geese.
Hanging red ribbons and bows in your yard early in the season will help attract hummingbirds until your flowers begin to bloom.
The Portuguese named the hummingbird "flower kisser".
A Hummingbird breathes 250 times per minute.
Watch your feeders closely...you might one day see an albino hummingbird.
A female Ruby-throated was measured at over 25 mph.
Leaving your feeder up will not keep the hummingbirds from migrating when the time is right. Keep it filled three weeks or more after seeing your last bird. That way you might feed a passing migrating bird.
Nestlings remain in the nest about 21 days.
Hummingbirds will use their bills to try to attack the eyes of other hummingbirds.
Some hummingbirds beat their wings 70-80 times per second. Others as slow as 18 times per second.
Their wings rotate at the shoulder allowing them to make a forward stroke followed by a backward stroke. Hence they can hover.
They are found as far north as Alaska and as far to the south as Tierra del Fuego.
There are approximately 338 species of hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds eat insects...up to 400 or 500 per day. They eat more of them when it rains.

Male hummingbirds have the colored gorget - throat area.
A male's throat may look very dark until seen in the proper light.
Female have a pale throat which might be spotty or have a necklace of colored spots.

hummer WINDOW STRIKES: Hummingbirds, like other wild birds, are in danger of colliding with windows. Try to cut down on the reflection of large windows. Tall shrubs, window decals, and colorful wind spinners can help prevent these accidents. Aggressive hummingbirds will chase each other into windows. The birds are usually only stunned but they fall to the ground and are completely vulnerable during this time. I know which window at my home is most likely to cause problems. I work near this window and I always pay attention to any noise that could mean a collision. If I find a stunned hummingbird outside on the ground I try to remain hidden but I stand guard until it revives.

We had a feral cat problem one summer. Two hummingbirds were knocked unconscious. I was afraid to watch from a distance knowing that a cat could move much quicker than I could. I opted to hold the hummers until they revived enough to fly away. Below is a link to a photograph of one of the little dynamos in my hand. Both of them sat upright on my hand slightly swaying. It took several minutes but suddenly first one then the other exploded into a buzzing powerhouse of vibrations. Each one got away from me as fast as it could once it regained its senses. I took that as a good sign instead of as an insult!

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO OF A HUMMINGBIRD IN MY HAND