American hummingbirds offer endless entertainment with their aerial acrobatics as they buzz among flowers and defend backyard feeders against rivals. (OK, they aren’t really American hummingbirds, they are hummingbirds that can be seen in the United States.) But whatever you call them, the delightful species of hummingbirds found in America boast jeweled hues and distinctive markings that reveal their species. Pay close attention to their colors (and sometimes their size) and you can identify which species are visiting your backyard. Also note that most male hummingbirds look very different from their female mates. As with most birds, the males are the colorful ones. Here’s a guide to 10 of the most common hummingbirds to visit yards and gardens in the United States. Hummingbirds are much more common in the western states, so that part of the country is best for watching these marvelous creatures. NOTE: If you want to attract more hummingbirds to your yard and garden, consider … [Read more...] about A Guide to American Hummingbirds
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How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard and garden, you are in good company. It seems like everyone loves hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are known as the “winged jewels” of the garden. This moniker is appropriate, since the iridescent feathers of hummingbirds reflect gorgeous jeweled tones of brilliant red, vibrant violet, metallic green and blue, and shimmering gold. A hummingbird’s feathers are actually designed to reflect light. That’s why these beautiful birds can look quite dull in the shade, which aids in their ability to hide from predators. Hummingbirds Live in the Americas When it comes to attracting hummingbirds, it’s important to know the reality of hummingbird geography. Quite simply, you can’t attract hummingbirds to your yard if you live where there aren’t any hummingbirds. There are more than 320 species of hummingbirds in the world—and they only live in the Americas. The majority of these extraordinary birds can be found near the equator in … [Read more...] about How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
