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Hummingbirds can be found all through the Americas including the Caribbean. Known for their ability to hover and their skill at backward flying, hummingbirds can hover by rapidly flapping their wings at high speeds up to 80 times a second.

The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world at just two inches long and weighing around 2 grams. The Giant Hummingbird is the largest hummingbird at around eight inches long and weighing about 25 grams. All the hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of all birds and to sustain this they need to consume more than their own weight in food every day. In order to do this they have to visit hundreds flowers each day to gather the nectar. They have long tongues and beaks so they can reach right into the blooms. They are able to decrease their metabolisms when at rest, unlike the majority of other animals with a high metabolisms. This lengthens their lifespan, which has been reported as long as 16 years.

Planting A Hummingbird Friendly Garden

To draw hummingbirds to your garden plant brightly coloured shrubs and flowers. The sense of smell of Hummingbirds is very poor but they can be attracted by intense colours. Placing a hummingbird feeder in your garden or on your patio will catch the attention of these charming birds. Some annuals to plant include salvia, petunia, impatiens, firespike and jewelweed. Perennials you could plant include bee balm, costa, yucca, canna, lupine, cardinal flower and foxglove. For bushes and trees plant buddleia, lantana, tree tobacco, mimosa, flame acanthus and azalea.

Do not use any pesticides in your garden as this will eradicate insects and bugs that hummingbirds eat. They will also leave deposits on the flowers which the hummingbirds may consume. Also provide plenty of places to rest as hummingbirds spend approximately eighty percent of the time perching on clothes lines, twigs etc. Supply plants that will provide nesting materials to be a focus for the females. They favor feathery nesting material from trees such as eucalyptus and willow and from mosses and ferns.

Hanging up vibrantly colored, specially made hummingbird feeders in your backyard will exert a pull on the hummingbirds. A good suggestion is to attach red ribbons that will blow all around the feeder. It is also a great idea to provide feeders at different heights as hummingbird species all have different preferences. Species that prefer plants that are low growing will visit a feeder placed lower whereas species that feed on taller flowers and shrubs will prefer to visit a feeder placed in a higher position. Hummingbirds are also extremely territorial and one hummingbird may perhaps guard a single feeder and stop other birds from feeding. Put no less than 3 feeders at different heights all around your backyard.

Hummingbirds love to bathe in the mist on foliage so you could put a mister near to some broadleaved vegetation to give them a bathing place.

How to Make Hummingbird Nectar

Make a sweet nectar by blending together a cup of sugar with four cups of water that has been boiled. Let it cool then store in the fridge. Unused nectar can be stored safely for up to seven days. Thoroughly clean hummingbird feeders weekly by rinsing with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar to four cups of water then rinsing with clean water. Fill with the sugar solution and hang in the shade. Don't use food coloring or sweeteners. Also do not use honey as it may ferment and create a a poisonous fungus. Replace the nectar solution in the feeder every three days or more often when the weather is hotter.

In Conclusion

It's easy to make a garden that will appeal to these lovely birds. Give them the food they like and a safe setting and hummingbirds will visit your garden often.

More Information on feeding wild birds and some cheap bird feeders to buy at Garden Bird Feeders or Garden Garden Bird Feeders UK