Hummingbirds: Delightful Dynamos
Hummingbirds are nature’s delightful dynamos. I enjoy watching these tiny little birds as they return to my yard each spring. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas including the Caribbean but they do span this territory from southern Alaska to the Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. Most species are found in Central and South America. However, Anna’s Hummingbird lives year round in the Pacific coastal areas. The Ruby Throated Hummingbird migrates each spring. It flies non stop across the Gulf of Mexico to begin its northern migration through the eastern United States and into Canada. The Black Chinned Hummingbird is the most widespread species in the western United States and Rufous Hummingbird is the most commonly found hummingbird in western Canada. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in the world.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard:
Food: Hummingbirds eat the nectar of flowers or sugar water to provide them with the energy to maintain their very high metabolic rate. For protein and other nutrients they eat soft bodied insects and spiders. When selecting a hummingbird feeder it should be easy to disassemble and clean because hummingbirds will not eat sour sugar water / nectar. The feeder should be rinsed thoroughly with hot water each time you refill it and once a month clean the feeder with a solution of
