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GARDENER'S
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The Magic of Hummingbirds
(or, Good Things Come in Small Packages)
 Why is it that the world's smallest bird can give us such a big thrill? How exciting, first to hear the whirring and then to see the jewel-toned colors and darting motion! (Incidentally, hummers are the only birds that can fly backwards and upside down.)
Hummingbirds live only in the western hemisphere. Those that are migratory, like our rufous-sided hummer, travel as far as Mexico for the winter. Another variety, the Anna's hummingbird, remains in our area during the cold months.
A hummingbird's diet consists mostly of flower nectar; in consuming nectar, they also collect pollen from one flower and transfer it to the next. Hmmm---hummer pollination! They also eat small flying insects which provide them with protein, vitamins, and minerals. To supplement the diet of the non-migratory Anna's hummer, it's important to hang out hummingbird feeders in winter also. I did this in January and have been constantly entertained by my first visitor - Al. I made sure to keep the nectar mixture thawed during our February cold snap; I've also been planting nectar-producing plants such as Mahonia 'Charity', hardy fuchsias, salvias, and kniphofias (red-hot poker). I'm hoping Al will invite his family and friends for lunch!
So if you are looking for a little friend to entertain you, pollinate your flowers, and eat insects too, plant some eye-catching flowers (Sky has a list), hang up a feeder (Sky has those too!), and you'll be rewarded for your efforts with some gorgeous visitors. In fact, they may know Al.
By Heather Small
Skylights Spring/Summer 2006, Vol 21, No. 2
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