Hummingbirds Visit the Library
September 22, 2010
I LOVE watching hummingbirds at this time of the year. I still can't believe we have "library hummingbirds"! They seem to be attracted to the planters we have at the front doors. At my house, I hang several feeders, and I'm treated to a show better than anything on TV! Hummingbirds are very curious, and will sometimes hover a few feet away from your face for a good look. Who knows, maybe we are a show for them!
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright tubular flowers such as Red Honeysuckle, Columbine, Trumpet Creeper, and Red Buckeye. If you are getting interested, I recommend the book, Hummingbird Gardens: Turning Your Yard into Hummingbird Heaven by Stephen Kress or Ortho's all about attracting hummingbirds and butterflies by Michael D. McKinley.
A hummingbird's wing-beats are about 80 per second, and their heart rate is about 1,260 beats per minute. The typical hummingbird nest is about the size of half an English walnut shell. Check out our bird and gardening books to learn how to attract and feed hummingbirds in your yard. Just don't lure mine away!
Julie C.
Raytown Branch
Comments
Fall is a good time for hummingbird watchers
The only hummingbird usually found in MO is the ruby-throated hummingbird. However, in the fall migrant hummingbirds often wander quite widely outside their usual ranges. A rufous hummingbird (typically only found west of the Rockies) has been seen recently in Blue Springs. So keep an eye out and keep that field guide handy. You never know who's going to show up!
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