If you enjoy watching hummingbirds in your yard, you likely know that they typically don’t stay still for long. The birds are constantly zipping around in search of food, moving from flower to flower. If you’re lucky, maybe you will occasionally see one perch so you can get a good look at its colorful feathers … Read more
Hummingbirds appear to be the busiest of all the birds. From the crack of dawn, they’re seen flying from plant to plant, or stopping at a hummingbird feeder before disappearing in a flash. Add to that the work of building a nest, incubating eggs, and caring for their young? Female hummingbirds undoubtedly have their hands—or … Read more
For a lot of people, hummingbirds are a sure sign of spring. Many species will return to the same feeders from years previous, and fill gardens and outdoor areas with their bright flashes of color. Looking to attract hummingbirds to your own backyard? Here are some key factors in understanding their behavior and preferences for … Read more
By now, you probably know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but did you know it’s also bad for birds (along with most other pets)? Can Birds Eat Chocolate? And no, it’s not just the sugar content! According to Mokaram Sara, DVM and Ph.D. of veterinary surgery at the University of Tehran in Iran, chocolate … Read more
Hummingbirds spend much of every day in flight, searching for nectar or bugs to power their sky-high metabolism. While this can make for delightful viewing from a birdwatcher’s perspective, these birds’ appetites can sometimes land them in precarious positions. Hummingbirds are attracted to the colors red, orange, and yellow. If the birds see something with … Read more
As backyard birdwatchers, people will sometimes form some recognition of – and attachment to – familiar animals, whether it’s an identifiable deer, squirrel, or bird. Some people, especially those that feed wildlife, may wonder if the animal forms a similar attachment. Hummingbirds are one animal that draws humans’ intrigue. Northern birdwatchers carefully mix hummingbird sugar … Read more
They may not have noses, but they can smell. Despite years of claims to the contrary, there is mounting evidence that hummingbirds do have an active sense of smell. Whether or not most birds such as hummingbirds have a strong sense of smell hasn’t been studied extensively, and the belief that they have no sense … Read more
Being a southern state, Texas has hummingbirds within its borders all year, though most hummingbirds will head even farther south for the winter months. Texas is also a popular stop for many hummingbirds migrating south to warmer climates in Mexico and Central America. So when can Texans expect to see hummingbirds in their state? What … Read more