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Dear Mom

What’s a Crop?

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The crop is is a specially modified part of the hummingbird’s digestive system that stores the food immediately after it is taken in.  The crop is filled whenever the hummingbird sips nectar.  Once it is filled the hummingbird will rest in order to allow the crop to empty into the rest of the digestive system.  The hummingbird will begin taking in more food once the crop is half empty.

Isn’t that interesting?  These are the kind of surprising and interesting facts that I am always amazed to discover about hummingbirds.  This is the kind of information about hummingbirds that I know my mom would have enjoyed discovering and that I wish I could share with her.  I hope that all of you will enjoy making this discovery as well.

The Lifespan of the Hummingbird

Although most hummingbirds are found in the wild there are some that live in captivity.  Those found in captivity are most likely found at zoos or aviaries.  Have you ever wondered if there is a difference in the lifespan of a hummingbird depending on where it lives?  If so, then I have the answer for you.

A hummingbird in captivity lives longer then those found in the wild.  A hummingbird in captivity has a lifespan of ten years or longer.  A hummingbird in the wild has an average lifespan of three to five years.

There are many expainations to help explain the differences in the length of lifespan.  Hummingbirds in capitity do not have to make long nigratory journeys and therefore their feathers are less likely to ware out as quickly.  These birds live in a safe and protected habitat so they don’t face preditors.  Also, their habitat is designed to provide the food and nurishment they require.  These same things can’t be said of hummingbirds found in the wild therefore they face many more hazzards and challanges throughout life.

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Hummingbird Videos

Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Lanscape

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This video will ofer some tips on how to how to attract hummingbirds to your laandsape through the use of plants and also tells of the need to change the nectar solution in hummingbird feeders often.

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Dear Mom

Injured Left Sholder

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I have been  having pain in my left sholder for sometime now, so yesterday I went the doctor for a shot to help releave the pain.  Well, that was a big mistake!  Yes, I had the same shot before with great results, but this was a differnt doctor administering the shot.  The sholder hurts wose then ever before and I can’t use that arm.  I’m not sure if the shot hit a muscle or a nerve.  That is a very bad thing for someone who is in a wheelchair and depends on their arms like most people depend on their legs.  The pain was so bad yesteday that couldn’t even attempt to write a post.  In fact, I’m having to type this post with one hand.

I hope that this finds all of you doing well.  I just wanted to explain why their was no post yesterday.  I don’t know what the doctor’s office will say until  I am able to reach them about the matter.

 

Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbird

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The Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbird is commonly found in Mexico and will rarely be known to visit southeast Arizona. The preferred habitats of this species of hummingbird include tropical deciduous forests, cottonwood-willow streamside forests, and oak woodlands.
 
This species of hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird with iridescent bronze-green upperparts and head, red throat, white face interrupted by black eye stripe, and pale gray under parts. It has a slightly notched tail that is bronze-green with white-tipped black terminal band.
 
The Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbird is a nonmigratory species of hummingbird.