• A hummingbird’s tongue is grooved
• Hummingbirds take 150 breaths per minute
• Hummingbird eggs are the size of a jellybean
• Hummingbirds beat their wings up to 50 times per second
• Hummingbirds can fly backwards
• They often use moss in their nests
• Female hummingbirds are more subtly colored and less flamboyant than the males
• Put out hanging baskets to attract hummingbirds -- Geraniums are a great option
Nectar Sources
Plant native flowers, flowering shrubs and trees that produce nectar-rich blooms throughout the season. Red flowers will attract the most birds. Avoid spraying for insects or spiders in the garden or around your home. Rely on hummingbirds and other insect-eating birds to provide natural pest control. Use hummingbird feeders filled with a proper sugar solution to simulate natural nectar. Four parts water to one part sugar is closest to the sucrose levels of popular flowers. Provide nearby perches for hummingbirds to defend their favorite feeding areas. Many hummingbirds are extremely territorial, and they will use a perch as a lookout point for intruders.
How You Can Help
• Keep your sugar-water feeder full
• Offer more than one feeder
• Keep your feeders clean
• Plant nectar-rich flowers
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