Hummingbird at Witter Wildlife Refuge Photo by James Orr

Hummingbirds have returned to our area after their winter vacation in Mexico.  They fly across the Gulf of Mexico nonstop loosing up to 50% of their body weight during the crossing.  The overseas flight without meals is the best way to lose weight since Jenny Craig.   Over land they typically eat every ten minutes all day long consuming two thirds of thier body weight everyday. (Sounds like Jarrad, my 21 year old stepson)
 
They live an extremely fast paced life.  Their wings beat up to 50 times per second and their heart beats 1,260 times per minute.  They lap up nectar with 13 tongue licks per second.  (Sounds like Jarrad, my 21 year old stepson with a Super Slurpee drink)

Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, up, down, left,  right and upside down. Sounds like Dramamine time to me.  Unlike most birds that get wing lift only on the down swing, hummingbirds also have lift on the up swing.  Their feet are virtually useless except for perching and grooming.  They cannot walk and have to fly to travel even a few inches.

Most people know that hummers love sugar which they get from flower nectar, fruits, tree sap and feeders but they also need protein to survive which they get from insects and pollen. 

There have been some interesting studies done as to how a hummingbird catches insects.  It’s tiny needle-like beak is not well suited to bug catching like the wider bills of other insect eating birds. One of the more interesting theories is that the humming birds can create air patterns with their wings that sucks the bugs into them.  This type of feeding is called filtration and is generally associated with aquatic animals that suck in water to capture prey.  Humming birds have also been know to steal insects from spider webs.

Some even make their nest out of spider webs allowing it to stretch like spandex as the babies grow.  Others use more conventional materials such as grass and moss.  Hummingbird nests are only about an inch and one half in diameter.

If Humming birds get too cold they can go into a “torpor” (Loss of motion,  a state of inactivity with partial or total insensibility; numbness).  They will revive when it warms up.  If you see a humming bird hanging upside down and motionless do not assume it is dead.  It very likely in this torpor state to conserve energy. (Not unlike Jarrad, my 21 year old stepson on a Saturday morning)

Male and Female Humming birds have separate territories.  They mate in Neutral territory and the male takes no part in nest building or raising the young.

They will not attack humans but may buzz past you within inches.  They have been known to attack other birds even Hawks.  They will also fight each other ferociously to defend their territory.  Although it can look like a fight to the death with aerial collisions and jousting matches they are rarely injured by other hummers.

If you feed hummingbirds leave up the feeders at least three weeks after you see the last hummer.  Contrary to some beliefs having the food available late into the years will not cause the bird to delay its winter migration.  The departure date is determined by the amount of daylight and availability of insects.  Leaving a feeder up not only helps the local hummers put on weight for their journey but it provides migrating birds a much needed boost in transit.  You should  clean your feeder every week with hot water and a mild bleach solution to inhibit mold. Rinse thoroughly before refilling.

If you would like to help feed these little jewels and do not want to buy the expensive designer Hummingbird mix you can make a batch of homemade  nectar for them with 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water first, then add the sugar.    Do not add food coloring, artificial sweetener (which has no nutritional value) or   honey (which ferments).  I am sure no one wants drunk hummingbirds buzzing around at warp speed with sharp pointy beaks.  Next thing you know there will be a video called “Hummingbirds Gone Wild”.

It is a good idea to have at least two feeders on opposite sides of the house to reduce fighting.  Humingbirds are absolutely fascinating to watch.  We have one in particular we are extremely fond of.  We call him Jarrad.

DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount  it is greatly appreciated.  Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.

See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife