All About Hummingbirds and Native Habitat

The one bird that holds the greatest fascination among backyard bird- watchers is the hummingbird. There are sixteen species in the U.S and about 340 known in the world. Going back to early civilizations, the hummingbird was held in high regard. In Native American folklore, the hummer was thought to bring light. In other tribes, it was the bringer of rain.

In California the most common is Anna's Hummingbird with a grayish-white body and irridescent green accents. The male has an irridescent ruby face and throat. In So.California this is the one most frequently spotted at feeders. The Rufous Hummingbird, a larger and more aggressive species with rust and brown head and throat, will often try to dominate Anna's territory- much to our entertainment.

Hummingbirds fall into the bird category of gnat catchers. In addition to insects and spiders, their natural diet is made up of sap, pollen, and nectar. They benefit us in the garden by helping with pollination. Hummers have bills that are long, curved, and tapered at the tip.This makes it easy for them to get nectar and pollen from tubular flowers and sap from holes made by other sapsuckers. They are primarly attracted to red which is the reason many of us often artificially color the sugar solutions for the bird feeders. Since this isn't necessary and could possibly harm the birds, it's best to keep it clear. Hummers choose red flowers because bees are busy pollinating the yellow and orange blooms. The lack of bees means a sweeter, better quality nectar. The Rufous hummer is strongly attracted to red.

The hummingbird has a very fast metabolism and needs to feed every 10 min. or so. It consumes about 2/3 its body weight every day. It has a transluscent tongue that can lick at the rate of 13 times per second! It can fly at 40mph and can dive-bomb in attack mode at a speed of 60mph. Its wings beat about 50 times per second as it hovers upright at flowers and feeders. It is capable of flying in all directions including upside down. Unlike other birds that have wings which can bend in 2 places: the shoulder and the"elbow" and get power from the downstroke, hummers beat from the shoulder only and acheive greater maneuverability.

Hummingbirds will stop and perch on branches of trees and shrubs, fences, and utlity lines where they often let out a high-pitched squeaky chirp . They like to observe the safety of surroundings before feeding, so it's best to consider its preferences when hanging a feeder. A hummer can live for up to 8 years and can remember the location of food sources for most of its life. This is a good thing for enthusiasts with backyard feeders! We all enjoy watching these delightful birds fom our windows as they loudly buzz down to drink the nectar. My favorte feeder is the Perky Pet. It is easy to dismantle and clean regularly- a must for the good welfare of these tiny, energetic birds. The moldy soot that quickly grows on sugary feeder ports can be toxic to them.

Hummingbirds are most likely to frequent those gardens that most resemble wild habitats and offer native plants and flowers for feeding and nesting. Hummers mate and nest during the first 6 mo. of the year.They should not exclusively live off the sugar nectar we provide. It is important that they get protein from insects and pollen from plants which is thought to be an immunity booster. In So. California, hummers like to nest in native plants like Ceanothus, Manzanita, and Sambucus.

The following is a partial list of favorite food sources for this Western region that add carefree beauty to the garden. For other areas, check with the Audubon Society or your local native plant nursery. It is important that we sustain our native wildlife by providing the correct host plants. As an example, young hummers feed from the small white bell flowers of manzanita. If it were to become unavailable, our hummingbirds would migrate to Mexico, and we would feel their absence. Make your backyard a welcoming place for our native flora and fauna. You will marvel at the adaptabilty of your plants and the rich diversity of life they attract. You'll want to grab that camera or your favorite sketchbook when they buzz by for a visit!

Antirrhinum- snapdragon

Aquilegia- California Columbine

Arctostaphylos- Manzanita

Calliandra californicum- Fairyduster

Cirsium occidentale- Red Thistle

Erysimum- Wallflower

Galvezia speciosa "boca rosa"- Channel Is. Snapdragon

Lilium- orange lilies

Lobelia cardinalis

Lonicera- Honeysuckle

Mimulus cardinalis- Monkey Flower

Salvia apiana- White Sage

Salvia clevlandii- Cleveland Sage

Salvia leucantha- Mexican Sage

Zauschneria- California Fuchsia

The manzanita flower is a significant food source for hummingbirds and their young.

The nest will be made on a small branch or twig in a shrub. The nest has a cavity of 1 1/2 in. and is held together with spider webs. The nest is lined with soft downy plant material, and will hold one or two jelly-bean sized eggs laid on separate days. Once the eggs are laid, the mother will sit on them and begin gestation. This takes 2-3 weeks. A female will have 2 or 3 broods a year.

The larger Rufous Hummingbird, being very territorial, shows aggresive behavior at the feeders. This hummer has no fear of diving after crows, mockingbirds, and the occaisional squirrel.