Author: Hummingbird

A hummingbird nest can be extremely difficult to locate. Have you ever wanted to see one but did not know how to locate one? This post will offer some advice that may help you successfully locate one. You may not even have to go far to do so, it may be as close as your own yard.

Hummingbird nest are commonly located in the droopy branches of a tree about 8 to 12 feet above the ground.

It is also extremely important to look near a water source whenever you are trying to locate a hummingbird nest. Humidity is vitally important to help ensure the proper development of the embryo inside the egg. This explains why hummingbirds prefer to build near rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Many hummingbird species also desire to nest near a reliable food supply, so the birds are looking for there to be abundant blossoms in the area. At the same time, the nest will be protected from rainfall and direct sunlight, thus making it likely to be tucked away and difficult to spot.

Those of you that have hummingbirds frequently visiting your yard, will possibly find a hummingbird nest in your yard as well. You should pay special attention in the end of June and early July to see if there are any young birds that do not fly very well. This is a sign that there is a hummingbird nest in your area.

It may surprise you to discover that fledgling hummingbirds have a very low survival rate. Just how low? Well, a startlingly low percentage, up to three-quarters of a given year’s fledglings are likely to die. The causes of this include predators, disease, accident, problems which occur during migration, or other problems.

As a hummingbird enthusiast myself, I am astounded by the sheer number of fledglings that are likely to die each year! What about those of you reading this post? Because a large number of fledglings die each year, I am even more appreciative of those that do survive. While I always have thought of hummingbirds as beautiful and remarkable creatures,I will never again take their survival and presence for granted.

Hummingbird wings are quite different from that of other birds. The hummingbird rotates its wings differently then other birds. Slow motion video taken of birds indicates that most birds flap their wings up and down but the wings of the hummingbird actually move in a figure eight motion, which makes the hummingbird unique because this enables the hummingbird to be the only bird that has the ability of flying forward, as well as backwards, up, down, and sideways. The hummingbird also has another remarkable flying skill which is the ability to hover. As a result, the fight muscles of the hummingbird take up about 30% of the bird’s body.

Water is extremely important to all types of birds, regardless of if the birds are feeder visitors or not. By providing a dependable source of water to the birds you will accomplish many things. This post will discuss them.

By providing a dependable source of water for the birds you are likely to increase the wide variety of birds which will likely visit your yard. Having the source of water will also allow you to enjoy watching the birds preen, bathe and even drink because the birds will remain there longer then otherwise.

Having a dependable source of water available is also vital because bathing is so vital to birds. Bathing allows a way for the birds to properly maintain their feathers and therefore remain in the best possible condition for flight.

Also, having a source of water available helps enable the birds to properly regulate their body temperature. This is extremely vital because birds do not have the ability to sweat. Do you find that to be surprising? I myself do because I did not know this until doing research for this post. As a result of the fact that birds do not sweat, excess heat is removed through the bird’s respiratory system. If a bird’s body temperature rises to an extreme level this can cause the bird’s respiratory rate to increase and this will sometimes cause the bird to pant like a dog and thus cause the bird to be come dehydrated. If this occurs, a reliable source of water is necessary to ensure that the bird can replenish lost fluids.

Providing a fountain, mister or birdbath will not only allow you more time to enjoy watching all the birds which visit your yard, but it may also literally help safe a bird’s life one day.