Month: February 2009
Those of you who live in the state of Maryland can exspect to see two species of hummingbirds: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummingbird. These birds will arrive in the area in April and they will depart the area in Sptember. As usual, the males will arrive first and the females will arrive about two weeks later.
If you are trying to identify the these two species, here is some information to help you do so. Here is what to look for when you are trying to identify the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The males have metallic green backs, blackchins, metallic red throats and white underparts. The females lack the black chins and red throats.
If the himmingbird in question has an orange-red throat and crown, its tail and sides are rust colored, then it is a male Roufous Hummingbird. If the back and crown of the bird is green and if the breast and tail feathers are rufous with white tips, then the hummingbird is most probably a female Rufous Hummingbird.
If you live in Maryland, there may not be very many hummingbird species that visit your state, but at least you can enjoy those that do. So, now that you know the species to look for, keep watching for them and enjoy them.
Many people are never lucky enough to find and view a hummingbird nest. If you happen to be among the lucky few who experience this wonder, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First and foremost, in many states it is illegal to posses a hummingbird nest. As a result, do yourself and the hummingbirds a favor, don’t try to keep it. After all, you wouldn’t like anyone taking your home. Second, it is extremely rare for the female to abandon the nest, so in all likelyhood the mother hummingbird will return to care for the young. Third, it is possible for the female to retun to the same place year after year. The female may not use the same exact nest again but she could use the nesting materials from the old nest to construct the new nest.
Please try and remember these things whenever you are fortunate enough to find and view a hummingbird nest. Count yourself among those lucky enough to do so and try and appreciate the amazing beauty and wonder that nature has to offer us.
Many people have the mistaken idea that hummingbirds are in contant and prepetual motion. I must admit that I too had that mistaken idea before I started researching hummingbirds. As astonishing as this may sound, I have since discovered that hummingbirds actually spend about 80 percent of the time perched. A hummingbird will use many unusual things as a perch including the following: a limb, TV antennas, or even a clothesline. The important thing is that it must provide the hummingbirds with a good view of the the surronding area which will allow the birds to survey the territory.
Yes, there is an endangered species of hummingbird. According to the Defenders of Wildlife website, the only hummingbird listed under the Endangered Species Act is the Hook-billed Hermint Hummingbird.
So, you may be wondering, what exactly is the Endangered Species Act? Well, let me explain. Under the Endangered Species Act the United States federal government is required to identify species which are threatened with extinction, identity the habitat that is necessary for their survival and then help protect both. This has two very important purposes: to strive to ensure the health of our natural ecosystems and to try and ensure that these species will still exist for the future generations.