Categories
Hummingbird Food

How Quickly Do Hummingbirds Digest Nectar?

The hummingbird can digest nectar very rapidly and efficiently. The nectar will pass entirely through the hummingbird’s digestive system in less than 20 minutes! Due to the large amount of fluid a hummingbird will intake each day, a hummingbird’s daily urine output may exceed 80 percent of its body weight, whenever nectar is found to be plentiful.
 
So, just what determines the amount of nectar a hummingbird must consume each day? The answer may surprise you. The amount of nectar that a hummingbird must intake each day is dependent on a number of factors including activity level, air temperature, quality of available resources, and time of year. The hummingbird will require one and a half times its body weight in nectar to meet its daily energy needs. 
Categories
Hummingbird Pictures

Why Use a Monopod or Tripod?

Photographing hummingbirds can be difficult challenge. After all, these birds move extremely quickly, so any help to improve the odds of getting a good shot are appreciated right? Well, my advice would be to use a monopod or tripod whenever photographing hummingbirds. There are several reasons for this. Let me explain.
 
The tips listed below are not my own. They are found in the book entitled “The Complete Guide Attracting, Identifying and Enjoying Hummingbirds” by Donald and Lillian Stokes. This information and much more on how to successfully photograph hummingbirds was written by Sid Rucker, who is a nature photographer from Dallas, Texas. I wish to ensure that the authors are given proper credit for their knowledge and work.
 
  • It is recommended that you invest in a sturdy monopod or tripod.
  • This will allow you to keep the camera at your eye for hours on end and will be helpful whether using a blind or not.
  • Whenever you are using a tripod-mounted camera, the camera should be placed at such a distance from the feeder that the hummingbird will fill at least two-thirds of the frame.
  • Without the use of these devices, you will miss shots because you are not in a proper position to take the shots whenever the opportunity presents itself.
 So, happy hummingbird photographing everyone! It is my hope that this information will help you improve the quality of your hummingbird shots and make them that much more special to you.
 
 

The Buff-bellied Hummingbird

This Buff-bellied Hummingbird is unique among most other species of hummingbirds. Do you know why? The reason for this is because unlike most other species of hummingbirds, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are alike in color, thus making it much harder to determine the males from the females.
 
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is found mostly in Mexico, but will also cross the border into Texas.
Categories
Hummingbird Feeders

Bats Like Nectar Too

In the southwest, especially near the Mexican border, bats can be a problem at your hummingbird feeders. Why is this? Well, it seems that the bats love the nectar solution just like the hummingbirds do. If you should encounter this problem there are things you can do to solve this unusual issue. Try the things listed below and the problem should be solved.
 
  • If you don’t mind having to do so you can just keep refilling the feeder, because the bats will empty it overnight each and every night.
  • In order to prevent having to refill it as frequently, you can use a hummingbird feeder with bee guards. This makes it harder for the bats to get to the nectar solution.
  • Take the feeder in each night and then put back out the next morning. It is important to realize that hummingbirds begin feeding very early in the morning, about 45 minutes before sunrise, and the hummingbirds rely on the nectar solution as an energy source after the long, cool night.
 
Bees and wasp are a common problem at many hummingbird feeders, but apparently they are not alone. Bats can be a source of trouble too. It is my hope that this post has given you some insight as to how to solve this unique challenge.