This book by Donald and Lillian Stokes is well written, informative, useful and simply a joy to read. A great book for anyone who wants to attract and feed hummingbirds.
Click here for your hummingbird garden needs
Fall is here and this is the perfect time to get out in your garden and prepare for spring. Many bulbs require a fall planting and you may be considering such a treat for your Garden Hummingbird. These are some inspiring floral collections that are perfect for your Garden Hummingbird and ready to ship for fall
Happy Planting!
Confirmation Code: GNMCNDF6376321
Wonderful video of a Male Broad-billed Hummingbird recorded in East Dennis, Massachusetts. This species is usually found in Arizona and Mexico. This is the first time this hummingbird has been spotted in Massachusetts and only the second time it has been seen in New England. Thank you Ron and Marge Murphy for such a rare video treat.
Many children will start back to school this week full of excitement for the new school year. Here is an inspiring idea for the many wonderful teachers that are already planning their creative curriculum.
According to an article in The Meadville Tribune, part of the school curriculum at Seton Catholic School is a quant little garden, cared for by fifth graders. It started as a bird sanctuary, but soon became an all-out wildlife habitat. It’s not a typical garden. All of the plants are functional year-round, providing food for a host of animals including the garden hummingbird. The garden was recently declared a National Wildlife Habitat. The students will be creating another new area soon. The new area will feature native wildflowers which will serve as a source of pollinators for hummingbirds and hummingbird moths, as well as all kinds of “good” insects. The students create and maintain the area, filling garden feeders and even heating water for the birdbaths, encouraging the birds to return. This unique, hands-on learning opportunity encourages students to care about nature and the environment. What a wonderful addition to traditional curriculum.
The full article can be read at: http://www.meadvilletribune.com/local/local_story_244220000.html?start:int=0
Have you seen a Garden Hummingbird lately? If you have then you may want to create a garden that will attract these wonderful creatures. This do it yourself project is not only fun but can be very educational for the entire family.
Whether you want to create a large yard garden or a small window box garden, you can create an oasis that will entice a Garden Hummingbird. Once you have designed your space, you will want to discuss your plan with your local nursery expert. There are many varieties of plants and flowers that can be used and many are area specific. If you don’t have access to a nursery then try a garden club or library for area specific information
Garden Hummingbirds are like magnets to certain gardens. They are attracted to red or orange colored tube like flowers. The blossoms should be nectar bearing. Although they are attracted to the bright colors, they will feed on any blossoms that provide nectar. Providing an area to perch or nest is also desirable and could result in baby hummingbirds. Misting components or a birdbath is also nice. Garden feeders add a touch of beauty and also add an element that will attract the hummer to feed. Use caution with your garden feeder. Placement is important and they are prone to attracting ants, if you are not careful. You can deter this problem by providing a commercial garden feeder that has a built in ant mote. They are very popular. The garden feeder will also need to be cleaned weekly at the very minimum. After you have created your garden, this is a small task to do to maintain a healthy atmosphere for your Garden Hummingbird.
Happy Gardening and Attracting!
By Liz Canham
Hummingbirds are one of the most beautiful and active species of birds to watch; their color and the way they dart around are so entrancing to the keen bird watcher.
There are over three hundred species of hummingbirds, native to the Americas and parts of the Caribbean. They are particularly renowned for their mid air hovering ability, sustained by the rapid flapping of their wings, between fifteen and eighty times per second, the humming sound of which gives them their name. They are the only species of bird, which can also fly backwards as well as vertically, somewhat like a vertical take off and landing aircraft. Interestingly, their feet are not useful for walking, just perching so if they want to travel, they must fly.
There are seventeen species of hummingbirds, which live in the USA, mostly in the warmer parts such as Texas, California and Arizona, although some can be found in the east and others in the Rocky Mountains. Most migrate to the warmer climes of Central and South America in winter but their route and destination is very much dependent on species.
Other than their extraordinary flying characteristics, the appearance of the hummingbird is what makes it so attractive. The iridescent sheen of the feathers and gorgeous coloring of blue, green, pink, purple and almost anything in between are quite irresistible to the bird watcher.
If you have a garden in a hummingbird area, you will know that they love brightly colored flowers. These vary from area to area but Salvia, Buddleia, Nicotiana and Callistemon (Bottle Brush) are universally popular. Hummingbirds have long curved beaks, designed to suck nectar from plants with bell shaped flowers. While feeding, they will hover in mid air, which is quite a spectacle, and they need to feed approximately every ten minutes. They also eat small insects and pollen for protein so if you can avoid using insecticides in your garden, it would be much better for the hummers. If you want to provide food for your garden hummingbird population, there are plenty of feeders on the market from which to dispense nectar. Try to choose one, which has a moat to prevent ants getting to the nectar.
Some people see orange and brown or zebra striped flying creatures in their gardens which hover and act just like hummingbirds. Don’t be deceived - these are probably hawk moths.
Hummingbirds court visually. The male may raise his feathers edging the gorget and shake his head from side to side, all the while, making shrill noises. He also does dive displays, accompanied by various sounds made vocally or by the wing feathers. Alternatively, the male may perform a shuttle dance involving flying back and forth very quickly in arc shapes only about ten inches wide and sometimes right in front of the face of the female.
In some species, the males all group together and sing to attract nearby females into their territory. The males and females have separate territories, the females for nesting and the males usually to protect a source of food.
All in all, the hummingbird is not only beautiful and active but also fascinating to watch in terms of other behavior.
For more information on bird watching and species, please visit Worldwide Bird Watching.