Month: July 2009

While hummingbirds may seem quite fearless, it will take time for the hummingbirds to get used to you and come around you without fear.  Hummingbirds are such extremely tiny creatures that to them we humans must seem like giants.  As a result, we must prove to the hummingbirds that we will not harm them.  There are several things that you can do to help the hummingbirds feel more comfortable around you.

It is very important that your movements are very slow and deliberate, as you do not want your actions to scare the hummingbirds in any way whatsoever.  Establish a time where you can go out and sit with the hummingbirds on a daily basis, as this will get them comfortable with your presence.  It is also good to chance your feeders during the daylight hours because this will allow the hummingbirds the opportunity to know who is responsible for providing their food source. 

It is a well known fact that hummingbirds are extremely intelligent animals.  That said, just how intelligent are hummingbirds?  The answer to this question may truly amaze you. 

As absolutely amazing as this seems, a hummingbird possess the intelligence to remember every single flower they have ever visited and how long it will take for that flower to once again refill,so they can once again feed from it!  A hummingbird also follows the same migratory route each and every year.  Once a hummingbird discovers that your yard has hummingbird feeders and various plants that attract that attract them they will return there year after year because it will provide them will a dependable food source.

The brain of a hummingbird is 4.2 % of its total body weight, which is the largest proportion of any member of the bird kingdom.  So physical size isn’t what really matters, but rather it is all about brain power and hummingbirds have certainly proven that they have plenty of that.

• The Buff-bellied Hummingbird has the distinction of being the least studied off all the hummingbird species found in the United States.
• The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is unique because it travels to the northeast from its breeding areas which are located in south Texas.  This is a unique movement for a North American hummingbird and as a result it is being studied in an  effort to explain its purpose.