Morning Surprise

by Marilyn Smith

Title

Morning Surprise

Artist

Marilyn Smith

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This little, tiny juvenile Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has recently claimed our flowering crab apple tree as its' very own. He/she perches on the tiniest branch and keeps a watchful eye out for other birds.
This busy little creature has chased chickadees and nuthatches away from the feeder we have in the tree.
The fall season is approaching now so most of the males have left the area. That leaves the females with their last fledging young to get ready for their long migration in a few weeks.
These smallest of all hummingbirds reside during the summer months in the eastern half of the United States.
They rarely are seen west of the Mississippi River.
They usually migrate to Mexico and Central America during the fall and winter months, only to make the return journey again in the spring.
These little creatures are the only bird that is able to fly backwards.
They hover, fly up and down, flapping their wings 50-60 times per second, which creates the "humming" noise.
Their heart beats at 1,260 times a minute and they breathe around 250 times a minute. Is it any wonder they are constantly hovering at feeders and flowers. Hummingbirds do not actually sing, but make a chattering noise or buzz when communicating.
Their nests are constructed from plant material, spider webs, and bits and pieces of lichen that is placed on the outside of the nest for decoration and disguise.
Hummingbirds are attracted to red tubular flowers and get their nourishment from the nectar of various flowers and the tiny insects they consume.
The world would not be the same without these tiny flying jewels!

Uploaded

September 9th, 2013

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Viewed 560 Times  -  Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/18/2024 at 1:15 PM

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