Categories
Hummingbirds

Sword-billed Hummingbird Facts

The Sword-billed Hummingbird is found in the Andes Mountains and its bill is up to 4 inches in length.

The sword-billed hummingbird has a bill which is longer than its body. This enables it to feed on flowers with long corollas.

When feeding, the tongue of a hummingbird extends beyond its bill and contracts about 13 times per second, allowing it to lap up nectar.

When the sword-billed hummingbird perches, it holds its beak almost vertical in order to help reduce the strain on its neck. .

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Hummingbirds

Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird

I must admit that prior to doing some research for future blog post, I myself had never before heard of the Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird. Since that is true of me, maybe the same can be said for you, my readers, as well. Unfortunately, even after doing research on the Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird, very little seems to be known about this particular species. Here is what little information I did discover about this species of hummingbird.

The Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird can be found in the rainforests of Peru.

The tail of the Booted Racket-tail hummingbird is a feature that helps makes this hummingbird species easier to identify then many others. This is because the tail of this hummingbird is split into what can be compared to two tennis rackets with elongate handles and small heads.

Unfortunately, this is all the information I could find on this particular species of hummingbird. Hope you enjoyed discovering a small bit about this unusually named species of hummingbird.

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Hummingbirds

A Few Hummingbird Migration Theories

Did you know that not every species of hummingbird migrates? Well, this is true. Of the hummingbird species which do migrate, have you ever wondered why this occurs? No one knows with absolute certainty why it is that hummingbirds migrate, but there are several possible theories available as to why this might occur. This post will examine these.

One possible theory is that the hummingbirds are aware of the changes in the amount of daylight and also the amount of insects and flower nectar available prior to migrating.

Another theory is that chemical changes take place within the bird’s body that let it know that it is time to migrate.

There are also those that believe the hummingbirds are following the flower or insect population and that this is what is responsible for the migration of the hummingbirds.

It is important to remember that these possible explanations as to why hummingbirds migrate are only theories and that no one truly knows why this occurs. These theories are interesting to consider, but I think there has to be more to this matter then is currently known. After all, if these theories were completely true, then how come all hummingbird species do not migrate?

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Hummingbird Feeders

Reminders About Hummingbird Feeders

The use of hummingbird feeders is probably the easiest way to draw the hummingbirds to your yard. If you wish to do so with this method, there are several things you will need to keep in mind regarding hummingbird feeders. This post will help you examine these considerations.

The best feeder that you can choose is one that is extremely easy to clean and also hang. The feeder will need to be cleaned regularly. I would suggest that this be done every time you change the nectar solution or need to re-fill the feeder because it is empty.

Cleaning the feeder is relatively simple. The feeder can be placed in the dishwasher and run through the wash cycle. If you do not have a dishwasher, soak the feeder in a diluted solution of bleach and water and then scrub it clean and then rinse well in warn water.

Regardless of if you choose a glass or plastic feeder, the feeder needs to be sturdy and have a limited number of parts. This will help ensure that the feeder will last a good while, even with extended exposure to the elements, and you will not be needing to find replacement parts for the feeder.

Next you will need to determine if you will purchase a glass or plastic feeder. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Glass feeders usually will last longer then the plastic ones and are usually easier to clean. The glass feeders have the disadvantage of being breakable. Plastic feeders are cheaper in cost but are more likely to discolor due to exposure to the sun.

The next consideration is the size of the hummingbird feeder to purchase. Smaller sized feeders have fewer feeding ports. The size of the feeder will also likely determine the number of perches the feeder will have on it.

The number of feeders you will want will be determined by the size of your hummingbird garden or the number of birds you expect to have visiting your yard.

Birdwatching is a great hobby which many people enjoy. Many people, like myself, find hummingbirds to be especially fascinating to watch. Having hummingbird feeders in your yard is a great way to entice the hummingbirds to visit your yard. It is my hope that these reminders about hummingbird feeders will allow you to more effectively use your feeders as a way to draw the hummingbirds to your yard.

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Hummingbird Videos

Hummers-The Movie

This video consist of numerous close-up photos of hummingbirds. If you are a photography buff who has ever tried to shoot pictures of hummingbirds or if you would just enjoy seeing hummingbirds up close, then you will enjoy this video. What beautiful photos!