Hummingbird Information on Habitat and Habits
Hummingbird Information on Habitat
 Rufous Hummingbird enjoying the view of it's habitat. |
Hummingbird information on habitat and habit can be fascinating. Hummingbird habitat is diverse and covers a huge range. Their territory includes most of the Western Hemisphere in fact, spanning from cool mountain regions, boreal forests and arid desert areas to lush tropical jungle.Hummingbirds love to inhabit areas in these regions on forest edges, parks, gardens, thickets and for some like the Rufous Hummingbird in this picture above, mountain meadows are a favoured Hummingbird habitat. Hummingbirds can live anywhere nectar producing flowers flourish and tiny bugs abound.
Hummingbird Information on HabitsSeveral species of hummingbirds live during the winter, in desert or mountainous regions, where the nights can get very cold. This causes the hummingbirds to enter a hibernation-like state called torpor. Their heartbeat slows to about 50 beats per minute. This is a considerable drop since their daytime rate is 1260 beats per minute! During the day they take 250 breaths per minute while resting. Their breathing in a torpor state slows down and becomes irregular. This “state” conserves much needed energy to get through the long cold night and can last for 8 to 14 hours.Arousing from torpor can take up to an hour for larger hummingbirds. It can take this long for their body temperature to slowly rise to 86 degrees Fahrenheit to enable them to fly again. Some birds have also been observed in torpor in early spring and late fall when the nights can be very cool in northern regions.
Hummingbird Information on BathsHummingbird habits are particularly interesting during bathing. They will brush up against wet leaves, ruffling their feathers to dampen them. Then sit to clean and preen their feathers. There are no specific bird baths available for hummingbirds. This is not necessary as they do not “take a bath” like other birds do. Other than wet leaves Hummingbirds also enjoy a dripper or mister placed over a bird bath. A dripper or mister can be purchased or rigged up with a garden hose. They love to swoop back and forth under the drip or through the mist. After several passes they will sit on a branch and preen their feathers. Then start all over for another pass or five!
Hummingbird Information on Feeding HabitsHummingbirds are very territorial. It may become necessary to provide multiple Hummingbird feeders in the same area, located about six feet apart. Placing feeders where they cannot be seen from each location is also helpful. One in the front yard and another in the backyard may be necessary. These little birds are very reliable and will return each year. Be sure to place feeders in the same spot because the returning birds will look for them in the exact location as last year.
Waiting, not so patiently!Every year I hang one feeder in front of my kitchen window. I always try to get my syrup feeders out just before the end of April so I will be sure to have “dinner on the table” when my resident Hummingbirds return.But one year I was busy doing something in my kitchen and kept noticing movement outside the window. I didn’t look or pay much attention. Then all of sudden I discovered what was causing the commotion. When I looked up and stood still long enough, just a couple of seconds, the answer sailed by, again and again.I had lost track of time and sure enough it was May and my little feathered friends were back. I was pleased that they knew I was home and would answer their call!
Interesting Hummingbird Facts- A favourite pastime for Hummers is perching for several minutes watching the area and sometimes sitting motionless (as hard as that may be to believe if you have never witnessed this habit). We have a dead elm in our backyard that has a limb which sticks out from the rest. It is a favourite spot for one of our local Hummers. Other perches from Hummingbird information sources state they will use TV antennas or satellite dishes, clotheslines, anything that gives them a good view of the surrounding area.
- Hummingbirds feed often, about every ten minutes, for 30 to 60 seconds at one sitting. They have split tongues which they can fold into a tube for sucking up nectar.
- A hummingbird will eat almost half its body weight in sugar each day. If a man had the same metabolic rate he would have to eat 285 pounds of hamburger a day!
- Hummingbirds that live in the same areas as Sapsuckers enjoy the banquet which these larger wild birds make available. The holes the Sapsucker excavates offer running sap to drink and insects to eat.
- Hummingbirds are very particular about their feeders and will leave a feeder that is dirty or empty too often.
Friends!Hummingbirds have become very trusting and friendly towards humans over time. It is not unusual for one of these little birds to sit on a finger for a sip of nectar from a feeder that is being held.They will also hover very close, curiously looking at something brightly coloured on your clothing.We have our syrup feeders hanging over parts of our back deck. We sit outside on the deck only 3 to 6 feet from their feeders.They will often sail by within inches of where we sit. Sometimes one will stop and hover right in front of our face for a real good close up view. Oh to hear their little thoughts!
More Hummingbird InformationAttracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds Migration and Range Amazing Facts!
Attracting Hummingbirds to View Mating and Nesting
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