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Tiny but Mighty?
Hummingbirds are fascinating animals with distinct characteristics that distinguish them from other birds. Hummingbird eating habits are one of the most remarkable parts of their behavior. These little birds have a strong metabolism and require a lot of nectar to thrive. They may visit up to 1,000 flowers in a single day, extracting nectar from deep within the blossom using their long tongues. Hummingbirds eat insects and spiders in addition to nectar, providing important protein for their diet. Read on for ways to make your own hummingbird feeder!
Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeder:
Hummingbird Nectar Mix:
1 C. boiling water
1/4 C. refined white sugar
Helpful facts:
Make your feeder holes 1/8" to 3/16" to avoid other insects eating the nectar.
A hummingbird has a beak from 1-4 inches long and its tongue can stick out as long as its beak is long.
Hummingbirds are attracted to RED! So use red lids when making your feeders.
Peanut butter jars with red lids: Drill holes in the lid, fill with nectar, and hang up.
Spice containers with red lids. These already have holes, but you may need to make them a little bigger. Fill with nectar. You can hang these or set them out flat.
Mason jars: Replace the metal lid with red plastic (the metal can cause injury). Drill holes in the lid, fill with nectar, and hang up.
You can also purchase a hummingbird feeder tube and use these with different types of bottles like a syrup bottle. After you fill them with nectar, you will need to hang them upside down.
Tip: Cleaning your feeder each time you fill it and keeping it clean will not only keep the hummingbirds healthy, but it will also help keep other insects like bees and ants away.
Amazing Hummingbird Facts:
They are the only birds that can fly sideways, backward, and even upside down.
They get their name from the sound that their wings make.
They have a HUGE metabolism! It is 100 times faster than an elephant's!
Some of them are amazing at migration! The Rufous Hummingbird travels the farthest, traveling almost 3,000 miles from Alaska, or from Canada to Mexico. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, on the other hand, can fly up to 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico.
They are fast! They can fly up to 30 mph!
Their tongue is shaped like a W.
They cannot smell but they have awesome eyesight!
A hummingbird's heart beats over 1,200 times per minute! Wow!
Their eggs are less than 1/2 inch long!
Play our National Hummingbird Day Puzzle below:
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