Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds: A Bird Watcher's Guide

At your breakfast table, there's nothing quite like beginning your day watching one of the smallest of God's creations, but one of the most interesting and delightful to observe - the hummingbird.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are probably the most recognized hummingbird species in North America, although not the only one by far. Most prevalent in the eastern portion of the continent, these hummingbirds are quite stunning. Both males and females sport emerald green back plumage, however only the males have the distinctive ruby coloring at the throat area. It's no surprise that these beautiful little birds have inspired artists everywhere and turned up in paintings and sculptures alike.

The average length of the ruby-throated hummingbird is only three and a half inches long, with an average weight of only an eighth of an ounce! One of the most amazing things about these birds is how fast their wings move and the speed at which they can fly. A hummingbird's wings can beat up to 80 beats per second, with the average being around 50. Flight speed can reach as high as 63 miles per hour, especially when these little birds are diving or in escape mode.

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, one way to do so is by planting a hummingbird garden. These gardens serve several purposes. First, they provide the hummingbirds with something to dine on. Second, they attract the birds to any feeders that are nearby. And third, they bring beauty to your landscape. One important consideration is to make sure your hummingbird garden is organic. Pesticides used on the flowers can potentially harm the birds.

There are a wide variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and vines you can include in your hummingbird garden. Some popular choices include: Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory, Bee Balm, Foxglove, Hummingbird Mint, Trumpet Creeper, Hosta, Impatiens, Red Buckeye and Petunia. In general, you'll want to plant trumpet-shaped, nectar producing, bright-colored flowers.

The next thing you'll want to do is hang your hummingbird feeders. At most any garden supply store, you'll find a wide variety of feeders designed especially for hummingbirds. To fill the feeder, you can purchase a commercially made feeding solution, or make your own. All that's needed is one part white sugar combined with four parts water. Some people will tell you to use red food coloring in your hummingbird solution to attract the birds, but this is not necessary and could be harmful to the birds.

Now all that's left to do is be patient! As any bird-watcher can tell you, hummingbirds often appear unexpectedly and leave quickly, so if you spot one, consider yourself lucky!

Copyright 2006 Frances Coleman - All Rights Reserved

2007 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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