Text for Hummingbird Sample Site Home Page Meet the hummingbird: an ironic creature given its delicate nature, yet simultaneous vitality. Experience an up-close look into the hummingbird’s busy (and dangerous) life and learn how to invite these beauties into your own backyard. This website aims to demonstrate the creation of a website using the Wix editor and to share about one of nature’s most intriguing curiosities. Fact Page What makes the hummingbird so remarkable? With incredibly high wing-flapping rates (up to 200 beats per second,) a uniquely high metabolism, and sophisticated motor skills, these tiny birds amuse many with their seemingly boundless energy. Like naturally born helicopters, hummingbirds set off in search for nectar with the ability to fly more than 34 mph. Their motor skills prove unique of any species as they reserve the ability to navigate spontaneously in any direction, including upside down, and hover in mid-air. (from Wikipedia) With the typical hummingbird measuring in at about 3-5 inches and the smallest of all birds, the Bee Hummingbird reaching just two inches, it is a wonder how we humans have been able to capture the rituals of these miniscule beings given their rapid movements. (Wikipedia) High-tech cameras and migration tracking enable us a closer look. Because of their rapid wing-movements required to sustain flight, hummingbirds contain the highest metabolism rate of all animals excluding insects. They are required to visit hundreds of flowers in order to maintain proper energy levels, consuming “more than their own weight in nectar” daily. (Wikipedia) This high metabolism makes hummingbirds all the more delicate, for they run the risk of starvation during sleep. A hummingbird's survival depends on a process known as torpor, or a state of hibernation, which decreases the the body temperature from 104 o F to 64 o F at night in order to conserve energy (Wikipedia). Incredibly, despite their intricate bodily systems and tiny size, hummingbirds typically live an estimated 3-5 years, though some have been known to live over a decade. Through banding, a form of tracking by attaching a tag to the bird’s leg or wing, scientists have been able to track the lifespan of many species of birds. This technique allows recognition for the longest lifespan of a wild hummingbird recorded in history: 12 years (Wikipedia). Lookalike page Hummingbirds are found throughout the Americas and the Caribbean islands. Only 16 species breed in the United States, including the Ruby-throated hummingbird and the Rufous hummingbird. (from the Hummingbird Society) There are no known species of hummingbirds in the eastern hemisphere; however, it has been noted that similar nectar-feeding birds inhabit parts of Africa, Australia, and Asia as well as some Pacific islands. Sunbirds, found throughout Africa, India, and southeast Asia, are rich in color and contain tubular beaks that allow access to a flower’s nectaries. (from Wikipedia) Honeyeaters, commonly found in Australia and surrounding countries, also feed on nectar in addition to insects and fruit. Honeyeaters generally hang from branches (even upside down if necessary) when feeding on nectar, but are known to hover in small bursts like their hummingbird relatives. (from Wikipedia) Sunbirds and honeyeaters are not the only hummingbird impersonators. “Hummingbird moths” (Hemaris) are sometimes thought to be the tiniest hummingbirds when in fact they are insects. Unlike most moths, hummingbird moths hover from flower to flower during daylight hours, causing confusion amongst observers. In flight, their wings take on the same characteristics as hummingbirds as they hover about, and their abdomens are trimmed with fanned setae (bristles), creating the look of tail feathers. (from Wikipedia) In flight, the moths tend to tuck in their legs making them difficult to spot. With close observation, one can see the antennae and leg count, clueing to the observer that the hummingbird moth is indeed just a lookalike. DIY page Hummingbird Hospitality To appreciate the beauty of hummingbirds year after year, consider creating an inviting environment aimed at meeting all of the bird’s needs. Hummingbirds are attracted to environments that are plentiful and prove to be safe nesting spots. With the right flowers, food source, and nest-building materials, your backyard can become the favorite hummingbird hotspot and even a breeding ground for these birds. Planting the Right Flowers According to the Hummingbird Society, filling your garden with an array of “wild flowers and exotic flowers” naturally attracts hummingbirds, for they “increase the number of small insects that hummingbirds require for their survival." Preferably, blooms take a tubular form and lack in fragrance so that insects will refrain from disturbing the nectar. The following is an excerpt from the Hummingbird Society’s information pamphlet: “Hummingbirds need to feed every 15 minutes and may visit as many as 1,000 flowers each day, so flowers need to be numerous and constantly regenerating. Red flowers are popular, but flowers of other colors also contain nectar and attract hummingbirds. Seek flowers with a long bloom period and make sure that a great hummingbird flower is in bloom at every point during your hummingbird season, especially during the spring and fall migration periods.” The society recommends several plants for various climates. Belonging to the mint family, Red Monarda or Bee Balm, flourishes in cooler weather and in moist soil. Fuchsia triphylla (Honeysuckle Fuchsia) is “best grown in containers, especially in cooler areas.” Ipomopsis rubra (Standing Cypress) “requires dry, well drained soil.” An example of an ideal warm weather plant is Erythrina herbacea (Coral Bean). (Hummingbird Society) You can read the pamphlet here. Artificial Feeders Flowers are natural nectar suppliers, but artificial feeders can be used as well. Artificial feeders should only be used if kept clean. Choosing the correct size feeder in relation to the population of hummingbirds in your area is crucial to maintaining a harmonious environment. The Hummingbird Society states: “Several small feeders are better than one large feeder and will support more hummers, helping deal with territoriality.” See their pamphlet for their sugar solution recipe. Predators Feeders should be placed at a minimum of 4 feet off the ground and away from potential predators. These predators include other birds, cats, snakes, squirrels, and even praying mantids. It is important to keep feeders away from nesting sites so as not to attract predators. (Hummingbird Society) Water Hummingbirds require more frequent bathing in comparison to other birds because of their sticky, yet daily routines. Adding a bit of water to your garden allows the birds to free their feathers of nectar. A shallow, preferably flowing water bath is ideal. (Hummingbird Society) Providing hummingbirds with all of these necessities will create an inviting environment and a secure place for them to return after migration. These majestic creatures can surely brighten up any home. Captions: • “Coral bean” plant in bloom. Careful – This plant produces a toxic seed found in its pods. (from Wikipedia) Hummingbirds especially love this plant’s bright red color and easy-access flowers. • Hummingbird drinking from an artificial feeder • A praying mantis challenges its prey. • A shallow hummingbird bath Credit Page Content Wikipedia's pages on hummingbirds, torpor, sunbirds, honeyeaters, Hemaris (hummingbird moth), setae, coral bean plant were used to create this site. Additional factual information is credited to the Hummingbird Society's article on "How to Attract Hummingbirds" as well as the society's informational pamphlet on attracting hummingbirds. Images Images can be found for free from Flickr.com. • Home page - infrared image of hummingbird • Facts page - Scintillant hummingbird (male), nest with eggs, nest with babies • Lookalikes page - Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus), Indonesian Honeyeater, hummingbird moth • DIY page - Coral Bean flower, thirsty hummingbird, praying mantis and hummingbird, bird bath • Contact page - hummingbird picture available free through Wix editor Contact Page Questions or comments? Please fill out the form and we will respond as soon as possible.