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Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds Have Three Eyelids

As I have said before, just about anything can spark a possible topic for a post and this one is no different.  My niece is taking anatomy in college this semester and this got me to thinking about the anatomy of the hummingbird.  While I have discovered many interesting things about the hummingbird’s anatomy, this particular post will discuss the eyelids of the hummingbird.

It is interesting to note that the hummingbird has three eyelids.  A hummingbird has two regular eyelids which serve to block the light.  The third eyelid or Nictitating Membrane is clear and serves to protect the hummingbird’s eyes during flight. 

Anatomy is not a course in which I myself would have done well had I ever studied it in college.  Science was not my favorite subject, but nevertheless I am amazed and fascinated by how complex anatomy can be and that every organ or part serves a very specific function.  This is true in humans and in the creatures found in nature.

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Hummingbirds

Moving Water Sources Attract Hummingbirds

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Many people are aware that hummingbirds like water, but you may be surprised to discover that hummingbirds prefer a moving water source.  This is easier to provide then you might think.  It can be done through the use of sprinklers, misters, fountains, water falls and drippers.  Hummingbirds often like to preen or fly through a moving water source as a way to bathe or cool themselves off.  

It will also help you attract more hummingbirds if the water source is kept clean and the water is fresh.  It is all so recommended that the water source is placed near nectar rich flowers, because this will help entice the hummingbirds to visit your yard. 

Why not try providing some of these various types of moving water sources as a way to help you attract the hummingbirds?  When I was growing up, my mom only had a fountain in the back yard as a source of water for the hummingbirds birds to use.  I don’t think that that it ever really occurred to my mom to use any of the other moving water sources listed above.  You can bet that if she were still alive today that I would be telling her about them and then watching even more hummingbirds flock to our yard,  

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Dear Mom Hummingbird Food

Trumpet Creeper and Hummingbirds

As a hummingbird enthusiast, my mom knew that  hummingbirds like plants which are rich in nectar.  Each year she would look for new plants to add to that year’s collection which were intended to try and entice the hummingbirds to our yard.  There was often no telling what mom’s choices would be, but you could be assured that the choices would be very bright and colorful, and that there would be plenty of the flowers and plants that were commonly known to attract hummingbirds in our area of the country. Even though mom knew that the hummingbirds liked plants rich in nectar, I doubt that she ever wondered which one produces the highest volume of nectar per bloom.  Regardless of this fact,  if she were still alive today, I know that she would be interested in the answer that I am now able to give all of you who read this post.  

According to the Hummingbird Society, the Trumpet Creeper is known for producing the highest volume of nectar per bloom.  If you choose to grow Trumpet Creeper, you will want to trim back the vines of it each fall to help ensure that you create a short plant that has many blooms.

Prior to doing some research for this post, I had never before heard of Trumpet Creeper, but I can now see why it would be a favorite with the hummingbirds, because the hummingbird is known to select the flower that has the highest nectar output and richest concentration of sugars, regardless of the shape or color of the flower.

I do not know if my mom had ever heard of Trumpet Creeper or not, but if she had heard of it, I feel certain that it would have eventually made it in to our yard in the hope of attracting the hummingbirds.  So, if this plant will grow in your area of the country, why not consider placing it in your yard?  The hummingbirds will be extremely glad you did and I’m sure you will be too.

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Dear Mom

Do Hummingbirds Have Ribs?

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You would be amazed at the things that can inspire a post.  I have been having some pain in my ribs lately, although the exact cause of this is unknown, this has sparked my curiosity and caused me to wonder if hummingbirds have ribs or not.  Here is what I discovered on the subject.  I hope you will find it interesting.  This is the type of usual topic that my mom would have enjoyed discovering about, so I think I want to lean the answer in her honor and then share it with others.  

Yes, hummingbirds do indeed have ribs,  In fact, depending on the species of the hummingbird, they usually have eight pair of ribs.  This is more then most others species of birds which usually have six pair of ribs.  In comparison, humans usually have 12 pairs of ribs, which are numbered 1-12.

The purpose of the hummingbird’s ribs is to serve as a a form of protection for the hummingbird’s lung and heart.  In this sense the hummingbird’s ribs have a very similar purpose to that of a humans ribs which is to provide a form of protective covering to our own internal organs.  

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Dear Mom

A High Metabolic Rate

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Mom, guess what?  A hummingbird has a very high metabolic rate.  I have discovered some very interesting things about this that I think you would have enjoyed knowing, because you always enjoyed interesting bits of trivia or facts.  Since I can’t share them with you personally I will honor your memory and fun loving nature by sharing this information with others.

  • The high metabolic rate of the hummingbird is necessary in order for the hummingbird to be able to achieve hovering flight.
  • A hummingbird’s metabolism is approximately 100 times that of an elephant.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we humans could have that metabolism?
  • At night the hummingbird will strive to maintain its resting metabolic rate, and the hummingbird may store up to one-third of its weight in nectar to help make sure that it does not starve to death before dawn. 

I can just imagine your utter fascination with these facts mom.  I’m sure you and I would have had quite the conversation about them and it would have led to a continued lively and entertaining discussion on the subject of hummingbirds.  Oh well, this post will serve as my virtual conversation with you and the others who read this.