Category: Hummingbirds

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Hummingbird Food Hummingbirds

Keeping the Hummingbirds In Your Yard Happy

There are people who enjoy hummingbirds and wish to entice these birds to visit their yard regularly, but they wish to do so without the use of hummingbird feeders. If you fall into this category yourself, you are not alone. What you plant in your yard for the hummingbirds to feed upon will serve to entice the hummingbirds to visit your yard and keep them continually returning as well. Think of your efforts this way, you are rewarding the hummingbirds for their hard working efforts as both pollinators and bug eaters.

The following are some suggestions which are commonly known to attract hummingbirds. Not all of these may grow where you live, but to be sure about this please check with your local nursery before making a decision about what to plant in your yard. The scarlet red cardinal flower and black and blue salvia are often good choices. Also, hummingbirds like hibiscus, azaleas and purple bee balm. My last few suggestions would be trumpet honeysuckle, wild columbine, bleeding heart, impatiens and scarlet sage.

Another great way to keep the hummingbirds happy and therefore returning to your yard frequently and with regularity is through the use of a mister or sprinkler. The mister or sprinkler can even be on a timer that makes it turn on at particular times during the day. Hummingbirds enjoy bathing and will quickly learn the timing of your mister or and therefore want to make that their bathing time.

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Hummingbirds

Where is the Male Hummingbird After Mating?

After the male hummingbird has impregnated the female hummingbird his job is officially done. The male must stay out of sight and therefore has nothing more to do with the female or their young. Why is this? The answer is due to the fact that the bright, flashy colors on the male are a danger to both the female and the young because this could attract predators which would put all at risk.

It is for this reason that the female is responsible for building the nest, feeding and raising the young on her own. The female wants to try and ensure the best possible chance at survival for all.

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Hummingbirds

Hummingbird Eggs are Laid on Different Days

A female hummingbird will usually lay two very small eggs which are about the size of a jelly bean or a pea. It is interesting to note that each of these eggs will be laid on different days. In spite of this surprising fact, the eggs will still hatch on the same day.

You may be wondering, how is this possible? Well, the reason for this is because the female will not start incubating the eggs until both of the eggs have been laid, thus allowing the eggs to hatch on the same day.

The incubation of the eggs usually last between 16-18 days, but it can take up to three weeks if the weather is cooler then usual when the eggs are laid.

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Dear Mom Hummingbirds

Does the Hummingbird Have a Liver?

Does a hummingbird have a liver? If so, what is its purpose? These are the kinds of unique and different questions that my mom would have wanted answered if she were still alive today. So, for my mom and all others with an unusual sense of curiosity, this post will answer these questions.

Yes, a hummingbird does indeed have a liver. This is where fats are stored within the hummingbird’s body for quick release. These fats help provide the hummingbird with energy during their migratory journey as well as helping to aide in the hummingbird’s day- to-day survival.

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Hummingbirds

Do All Hummingbirds Have Bright Throat Feathers?

Those who know me know of my love, passion and knowledge of hummingbirds, so as a result I am often asked various questions about hummingbirds. I enjoy the opportunity to share my knowledge of hummingbirds with others. A friend who has just begun learning about hummingbirds asked me “do all hummingbirds have the brilliant iridescent throat feathers?” Also, “why are these feathers so bright?” This discussion is what has inspired me to write this post and I hope you too will be enlightened by the information found here.

First of all, not all hummingbirds have the iridescent throat feathers. These brightly colored feathers are found only on male hummingbirds. If you are just beginning to study about hummingbirds let this fact serve to help you identify the sex of the hummingbird. The color of the throat patch on the hummingbird is not caused by feather pigmentation, but rather by iridescence in the arrangement of the feathers and the influence of light level, moisture and other factors.

The brightly colored throat feathers found on the male hummingbird serve two very important functions: attracting a female and defending their territory. Female hummingbirds find these feathers to be something that attracts them to the male while other males are repelled as a result of these feathers. Also, male hummingbirds are extremely feisty and territorial and these feathers are part of their territorial display.

The color of a hummingbird’s throat feathers can serve many functions. It can provide aide in helping you identify the sex of the hummingbird as well as helping the male attract a mate as well as defend his territory.