Hummingbirds 101
Hummingbirds are tiny birds weighing 2 to 20 grams. They feed on nectar and insects, as well as tiny spiders. They have long and slender beaks and extensible tongues. They always have 10 primary feathers, 6 or 7 secondaries, nearly always 10 rectrices (tail feathers), and an extremely large sternum. Their feet are tiny and not well suited for walking but well designed for perching.
Adult males often display iridescent plumage, rarely females (sexual dimorphism).
Their wings are relatively long and pointed, usually having short arms and forearms but long hands. They fly with a unique method of rotating the entire wing, with little or no flexing of the wrist or hand joints.
As a result of their unique but inefficient means of flight, they must consume enormous amounts of food each day, with nectar often amounting to 100-200% of their body weight. Insects provide protein for their diet.
The exact number of species is perhaps 329, although not all scientists agree. This makes them the second largest family of birds after flycatchers. They are found only in the New World, from Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. Most species are found in the tropics.
Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds can be found in a wide variety of environments in the New World, from the high Andes (over 4000 m.) to lowlands, and from dry desert areas to the rain forests. In all these environments, their source of nutrition is primarily nectar from flowers, as well as sources of protein such as insects and tiny spiders. They also need places to perch and rest during the day and to sleep at night, usually trees or large plants such as cacti. Nearly all must bathe regularly. Understanding these essential facts is the key to attracting them to a yard or other location.
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