Categories
Dear Mom

About An Untrue Hummingbird Myth

  • Post author By
  • Post date

Have you ever before heard the myth that hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese?  This myth is absolutely not true!  Nevertheless, this untrue myth seems to have of taken on a life all its own.  Have you ever wondered how this myth might have come to be.  I have often wondered this and now I can offer you one possible explanation concerning the origin of this myth.

It seems that it may have been John J. Audubon, founder of the Audubon Society, who may have started or at least strengthened this untrue myth.  As the story goes, he once shot a goose and then when he went to retrieve the goose a out flew a hummingbird.

There is absolutely no validity to this myth whatsoever, but maybe the information found above will explain the possible origin of this  myth.  This just goes to show how any story can take on a life all its own.  This is the kind of information my mom would have enjoyed discovering and I hope you did also.

Categories
Hummingbird Pictures

Magnificent Hummingbird

magnificent_hummingbird.jpg

This species of hummingbird certainly lives up to its name, as it is a truly spectacularly colored bird.  This species of hummingbird became known as the Magnificent Hummingbird in the mid-1980’s and was previously  known as the Refulgent Hummingbird or Ravioli Hummingbird.  The name change is thought to be due to its spectacular plumage .  This species of hummingbird was named after M. Massena, the Duke of Ravioli, in 1829 by French naturalist, Rene P. Lesson, who felt the bird had a regal and royal appearance.

This species of hummingbird became a part of our fauna in 1875 when Henry W. Henshaw found the first specimen at Camp Grant, Arizona.

The flight of this species of hummingbird is somewhat slower then other species of hummingbirds. This is because its wing strokes are less rapid, and it indulges in occasional periods of sailing on set wings, much after the manner of a swift.

Categories
Hummingbirds

Hummingbird Species and Their Location

  • Post author By
  • Post date

Are you new to birdwatching?  Have you just moved to a new area of the country?  Are you just learning to identify the various species of hummingbirds in your area?  If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, then today’s post will be of interest to you, because it offers you a list of the various hummingbird species and where these birds are found.  http://www.naturehaven.com/Hummingbird/hummingbird.html

       WESTERN MOUNTAIN SPECIES

  • Black-chinned
  • Broad-tailed
  • Calliope
  • Rufous
GULF COAST SPECIES
  • Buff-bellied
  • Ruby-throated
WEST COAST SPECIES
  • Allen’s
  • Anna’s
  • Black-chinned
  • Broad-tailed
  • Calliope
  • Costa’s
  • Rufous
SOUTHWESTERN SPECIES
  • Allen’s
  • Anna’s
  • Black-chinned
  • Blue-throated
  • Broad-billed
  • Broad-tailed
  • Calliope
  • Costa’s
  • Magnificent
  • Berylline (uncommon)
  • Lucifer (uncommon)
  • Violet-crowned (uncommon)
  • White-eared (uncommon)
  • Plain-capped (rare)
  • Green Violet-ear (rarely found also in the midwestern region of country)

It is my hope that by providing you this list you will have a better knowledge of the various hummingbird species that are found in the region of the county where you live.  Thus enabling you to learn about these hummingbird species and thereby enrich your birdwatching experience.  Happy hummingbird watching everyone!

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders

What Size Hummingbird Feeder?

  • Post author By
  • Post date

The use of a hummingbird feeder is a simple and easy simple way to try and attract this amazing creatures to your yard.  The task of purchasing one can seem quite overwhelming.  What style, size or even color should you select?  There is no perfect answer for this dilemma, but here is my advice regarding choosing the "right" size feeder.  When you are considering your choice, you will want to try and select a feeder that matches your areas hummingbird population.  The more birds in the area the larger you will want the capacity of the feeder to be.  You may also not want to fill the feeder up to capacity if all the nectar isn’t being used.  If you begin to see that your yard has be come a hummingbird haven, you may want to hang multiple feeders, because this can help solve the problem of overly aggressive and territorial birds.

Categories
Hummingbirds

Critically Endangered Hummingbirds

There are some 28 different species of hummingbirds that currently being threatened with extinction.  Of that number, there are some 8 different species that are considered to be critically endangered, which means that these same species stand a 50 percent chance of becoming extinct within just 10 years.

The Juan Fernandez Firecrown Hummingbird is one of the eight critically endangered species of hummingbirds.  There are many reasons  that are causing this species to face extinction.  The native flora and fauna of this species of hummingbird faces problems because too many foreign seeds, plants, and animals are being introduced there.  There are also dangers from new predators.  One of the greatest threats facing this species is due to human destruction of their habitat due to homes, farming, grazing, etc.

The loss of just one Juan Fernandez Firecrown results in a loss of one-half of 1 percent of the entire species population!  Totally shocking!