Hummingbirds are a delight to watch in your yard, either at a nectar feeder or visiting the flowers in your gardens.

The hummingbird is a magical little bird with some very unique characteristics.

Did you know all these interesting facts about hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly backward.

The birds can also hover in mid-air at rapid wing-flapping rates, which vary from around 12 beats per second in the largest species, to in excess of 80 in some of the smallest.

The female lays two, white eggs that are the size of a jellybean.

The nest of hummers is normally cupped in shape and about the size of a walnut half-shell.

The outside of the nest is a woven blend of spider webs and lichen.

Hummingbirds love tree sap and will often follow around yellow belly sapsucker woodpeckers . 

After the sapsucker is finished drilling in a tree, the hummingbird will take the remaining sap flowing as nourishment.

Hummingbirds are fast little buggers their top speeds exceed 34 mph and some species can dive at speeds over 49 mph.

Hummingbirds depend on flower nectar or sugar water to fuel their high metabolisms and hovering flight patterns. 

Females generally are larger than male hummingbirds requiring more nectar than males to keep up with the energy demands of their larger body size.

Many plants that are pollinated by hummingbirds produce flowers in shades of red, orange, and bright pink.

Although, the birds will take nectar from flowers of other colors as well. 

Besides flower and feeder nectar a hummingbird eats a variety of insects while in flight, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, and gnats.

While at rest on branches, the bird will eat aphids and spiders.

Hummingbirds only spend 10% – 15% of their time gathering nectar, the remaining time they are perched and at rest.

If you add a swing for the birds to perch on, you can see them at rest.

1.) Bright red color attracts birds of many species – The Yellow Flower feeding ports; discourage bees and wasps from entering the feeder.

2.) Fill with nectar then screw the base on, and flip it over. It will not leak while upside down Prevents the occurrence of rainwater contaminating the nectar.

1.) Made from natural dried hibiscus grass. Mildewproof, environmentally friendly.

2.) The hummingbird house is approximately 4.5 x 4.5 x 8.7 inches and the hole size is approximately 1.6 x 1.8 inches.

1.) Works to trap wasps from getting to feeders from spring through fall.

2.) Design with large entry tunnel

3.) Pour an inch of sugary soda or fruit juice into the bottom of the container.  Hang from nylon cord anywhere in the yard.