Fifty Birds of Town and City
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
A widely seen hummingbird east of the Great Plains, the ruby-throated hummingbirds are exquisite
bits, capable of incredible flight, moving in any direction on wings vibrating faster than
sight or able to hover motionless while spectators are breathless. They are
plentiful--one just shouldn't use the word "common" about this lovely pulse of
bright energy...!
They sup on nectar from garden flowers or blossoming "weeds" and are
attracted to yards or gardens by tubes of sugar water properly hung. And they eat
insects. Several other varieties of hummingbirds live in the West and all are
tiny--smallest of American birds--and beat their wings so rapidly that the feathers
produce a hum. All hover while feeding, mostly by dipping their long beaks in
flowers, and all of them are incredibly pugnacious for so tiny a creature. Most
migrate long distances, incredible as that seems.
Visit our Yankee Gardener Bird Lover's Paradise for a comprehensive section of bird houses, feeders, bird books and resources.
|
