This video shows a hummingbird feeding during a thunderstorm. Even though they have to eat, you would think that during the storm they would seek shelter. I guess not. There need for food must be too strong. On a personal note, my mom would have loved this video, because she loved a good thunderstorm and hummingbirds as well. I hope all of you who see the video will also enjoy it also. Are you surprised, as I was, that the hummingbird didn’t seek shelter?
Author: Hummingbird
Hummingbirds have often been viewed as being mystical and magical creatures. It is hard to know the exact reasons for this, but maybe it is because the early explorers were viewed as crazy for believing that such a tiny bird could even exist. Or maybe it is because these tiny birds amaze us with their flying ability, their seer determination, or their survival skills. Regardless of the reason, even today hummingbirds are often viewed with a sense of aw and wonder. There are many legends that exist about the hummingbird and this post will examine some of them.
One such legend is that the Aztec soldiers were reincarnated as hummingbirds. It is believed that this happed because they so fiercely defended there homeland.
In another legend, Maya, the Great God is believed to have created a pair of hummingbirds out of the scraps which were remaining from other types of birds having been created. This is supposed to have been done because Maya didn’t want to be wasteful of the materials that were remaining.
A Navajo legend is that the first hummingbird was actually a large white bird that was always hungry and in its constant search for food was destroying many flowers. It is believed that this made the Great Spirit very angry. As a result, the Great Spirit is believed to have decreased the size of the bird and given it a long bill as a way to prevent the bird from destroying any more flowers.
Yes, it is hard to believe that such legends exist about hummingbirds, but it just goes to show that people have been fascinated with hummingbirds all throughout history. Hummingbirds are very small birds but they are quite hardy and strong and they still fascinate and amaze people today. Keep enjoying the beauty that nature and the hummingbirds have to offer.
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Hummingbirds Are Not Pets
Many people are avid animal lovers and absolutely dote on their animals. Many times people consider there pet a member of the family and they pamper their animals. This is probably due to the unconditional love and devotion that our animals show us, but it is important to remember that not all animals make good pets. This is certainly true of the hummingbird. While this is one of nature’s most amazing creatures, it is important to remember that these birds have never been intended to be kept in captivity as our pet. So, enjoy the beauty of nature and the pastime of bird watching, but please don’t ever try to make a hummingbird your pet.
It is important to remember that wild animals do not make good pets. Hummingbirds have a specialized diet hat is extremely difficult to duplicate. The diet of the hummingbird consists of plant nectar, plant pollen and insects. Just how vital is nectar to a hummingbird? Extremely vital. 90 percent of the hummingbird’s diet is nectar. Yes, your hummingbird feeders can provide an alternate source of nectar, but this is not enough. Let me explain. Hummingbirds visit 1000 flowers per day and in so doing serve as pollinators for these followers. Without the hummingbirds, these flowers would not reproduce and the world would be a far less colorful and beautiful place. Due to their specialized dietary requirements, the hummingbird would be hard to feed properly, and they might get sick and die because of this.
They prefer to live in a large territory where they can use their specialized flying skills to find food and mates. This is something which it would be impossible for the pet owner to provide a hummingbird. Hummingbirds are also territorial and very aggressive, bold little birds, and it is highly unlikely if not impossible that the hummingbird could be the affectionate and loving companions that people want their pets to be.
Enjoy the beauty and splendor of these tiny flying jewels of nature, but please never try to capture one with the intent of trying to make it your pet. There are too many other animals which make great pets, so if you are looking for a pet that will provide love, companionship, devotion and more choose one of them.
Having a hummingbird feeder in your yard is probably the easiest way to attract the hummingbirds to your yard. Having one will help attract these birds to your yard and can provide you with many hours of bird watching enjoyment due to the increased number of hummingbirds that will likely be drawn to your yard, but there are several important things to keep in mind regarding hummingbird feeders.
It is important to make sure the feeder is easy to take apart and clean, because it should be washed frequently. You can even clean the hummingbird feeder by running it through the dishwasher. Since you will need to clean the feeder frequently, the fill hole should be large enough for you to reach in while cleaning.
The best way to feed hummingbirds is by using a nectar feeder. There are several things to keep in mind when using nectar feeders. The feeder should not be located in direct sun, as this causes the sugar solution to spoil rapidly. The feeder must be placed high enough on a branch so that squirrels and other predators cannot feed from it. A mixture of sugar and water is the best way to attract humming birds. This blend is as close as you can come to flower nectars. Honey, molasses or any other artificial sweeteners should never be used to feed hummingbirds. Though they eat small insects for protein, hummingbirds also rely heavily on flower and prepared nectar for their energy needs.
It is important to hang your humming bird feeder shortly before spring. If a hummingbird is drawn to the feeder at this time, it will likely return throughout the season, well into fall. There is no specific or exact date at which hummingbird feeders should be put up. Hummingbird feeders should be put up in time for their arrival. This will vary greatly depending upon where you are located. It is important to know the average date they arrive in your specific area, because you will want to get your feeder up 5-10 days prior to the average date of their arrival in your area. This will increase the possibility that the birds will see your feeder up and take a drink, and possibly stay for the season in your backyard!
It is important that the hummingbird feeder be clean or the hummingbirds will not feed from your feeder. The feeder should be colorful, preferably red and orange, and it can have red ribbons trailing off the feeder so it can be easily spotted by the humming bird.
It is impossible to provide an exact date by which time hummingbird feeders should be taken down. It is believed that migrating hummingbirds may be helped by feeders that are left up until at least two weeks have passed since seeing your last hummingbird. Contrary to what many people believe, hummingbirds will migrate even if your hummingbird feeders are not taken down. Males generally migrate several weeks ahead of immature hummingbirds, which are also known as new hatchlings, and females. When migration occurs is determined by a change in the length of the day or photoperiod.
If you keep this information in mind, you will have a greater chance of attracting and keeping the hummingbirds in your yard. The hummingbirds will be very happy and content and you will get to enjoy watching one of most beautiful and amazing creatures—the hummingbird. Happy hummingbird watching everyone!
- If the average man’s metabolism was comparable to that of a hummingbird, he would have to eat 285 pounds of hamburger every day in order to maintain his weight.
- Hummingbirds eat 5 to 8 times in an hour. Each feeding only last about 30 to 60 seconds in length.
- The average hummingbird will consume half its weight in sugar each day.
- An active hummingbird can starve to death in as little as two hours.