HummingBirds in Florida
Like all hummingbirds, Florida’s hummingbirds are important parts of the ecosystem of the state. They are pollinators of flowers, and they are the way for plants to reproduce. As they feed on the nectar of flowers, they carry pollen from one flower to the next. This fertilizes that plant and keeps Florida’s natural systems intact. They are also very colorful and wonderful fliers, which makes them fun to watch. These birds also beautify Florida’s natural world.
This article is adapted from a lecture by Karl Shaffer. Karl is a Nassau County, Florida, Master Gardener Volunteer. He particularly loves planting flowers and knows quite a bit about plants, gardening and wildlife, especially hummingbirds.
Karl is a gardener, so he learns about plants and birds to see how they work. His expertise helps those seeking practical advice on designing gardens to woo hummingbirds.
The topic of Karl’s talk was hummingbirds, particularly those in Florida. He wants to teach people to appreciate how those birds are useful and how they live. In the presentation, he shared the top facts about these beings, including where they come from, the way they fly and what’s unique about them.
Part 1: General Facts About Hummingbirds
Some basic Facts about Hummingbirds by Karl There He talks about where they are and describes how they are different from others in several biological ways.
Distribution Of Hummingbirds
And let’s take a look at the Distribution of Hummingbirds.
Exclusive to the Americas: North America, Central America, and South America
These exist only on the American continent (so in North, Central and South America). Some migrate to North America during the spring and can be found in states such as Florida, whereas other species inhabit Central America and the warmer parts of South America, and do not migrate. They do not live on other continents, such as Europe, Asia or Africa.
From the Andes to Tropical Parts of South America
In South America, these birds are found in nearly every habitat. Some ones live in the Andes mountains, which are also sometimes really cold. Some live in warm climate areas with exotic types of vegetation and flowers. This spread shows how versatile these little birds are, at least when it comes to their geographic range.
Biological Features
There are also key biological characteristics.
Hummingbird Weight: Smallest 120, Largest 2 Grams
Hummingbirds are tiny birds. Weighing only about 2 grams (less than a penny), the Bee Hummingbird is the world’s smallest hummingbird. The biggest, the Giant Hummingbird, can be up to 20 grams. Dry, solid and fast, despite their stature.
Adaptations: Long Bill for Nectar Feeding and Wing Shape for Flight Patterns
This is possible because a hummingbird has certain adaptations in its body. A long, thin beak allows the bird to probe to the bottom of a flower when it feeds on nectar. That is an ideal bill shape for one thing and one thing only: their primary food, nectar[38]. Their wings are also unique and allow them to hover in one place to feed. They have slender wings and strong muscles for fast flying and are, in fact, aerialists.”
Part 2: AIR-BORN ABILITIES OF HUMMINGBIRDS
Karl outlines the characteristics that set them apart from other birds in part two of the talk. These are strong fliers, and also very good at movement.
Uniqueness Of Flight
This section will focus on originality of flight such as:
The Only Bird That Can Hover
This means all species of these birds are able to hover, that is to stay in one place in the air from front to back. They need this ability so they can feed off nectar while resting on the petals. They can’t hover steadily, however, but hummingbirds excel at that.
Exceptional Agility and Rotational Wing Motion
Hummingbird Wing Beats Are Totally Weird. Their wings (which provide lift in both the up stroke and the down shirt) move as a figure eight unlike most other bird species. It gives very deep flexibility and motility and to be able to hover both up and down, fore and aft, as well as sideways in the shortest time possible.
Flight: 30 MPH While Foraging, As Much As 45 MPH While Courting
These birds are fast. They may go up to 30 miles per hour in their normal flying activities. But during courtship, the male can take to the air and reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour during a courtship dive. They dart quickly through the air, making sharp turns as they do so, which makes them fascinating to observe.
High Altitude Flight Capacity
Adaptation to High Altitude Environments: Are these birds able to Fly in 21,000 Feet?
Another interesting and surprising fact for many people is flying at altitude. Laboratory simulations using hummingbirds indicated that the birds could survive and fly at elevations up to 21,000 feet. But no hummingbird really flies at that altitude. In two regions of the oxygen-carrying, iron-filled part of their red blood cells, high-flying hummingbirds harbor some unique genetic adaptions. These adaptations allow them to take up oxygen very effectively in the high-altitude environment. That allows them to thrive in regions like the Andes mountain range in South America, where the elevation is about 14000 feet. But, while migrating, hummingbirds normally just fly at tree top levels.
In the broadest natural terms, these birds are little miracles. Even their distribution throughout nations, the unique biological aspects they have, or even the soaring migration flights they undertake – all of which have been explored and documented, testify to the uniqueness of these avian species.
Part 3: Breeding And Habitats
They are curious birds, some breed in very specific areas. Karl discussed the basics of reproduction, and strategies of survival.
Egg And Nest Characteristics
The majority of hummingbirds are little, but they all have their own way of reproducing.
Hummingbird Eggs: The Largest Egg for the Size of the Bird
In terms of bird eggs, hummingbird eggs are largest relative to body size of any bird, which also helps with successful chick development. Vespers and rivals of the birds may occasionally kill or shove away the chick, but two eggs are better than one for saving space and resources. While these birds may be small, you have to love how such small birds can support their own kind with significantly sized eggs.
Nest Construction From Lichens, Plant Materials, and Spider Silk
The nests are engineering wonders made of plant fibers, lichens and spider silk. These materials created a pliable structure to cradle the eggs snugly and to expand with the nest as the chicks grow. They may reuse nests for a second brood, and, sometimes, for subsequent years.
Breeding Habits
Courtship and territorial behaviors occur before mating, during which time males show a specific display of dives or displays towards the female.
Characteristics of Male and Female
Like most birds, males and females are sexually dimorphic, exhibiting different morphology, behavior, and activity. Their coloration is distinctly dimorphic, meaning males of the species are colorful to attract females. Males do not help to build nests or rear the young, however.
Females Are Typically More Camouflaged to Protect the Young
Females are less sexually dimorphic and exhibit more subtle color patterns, particularly at breeding. This camouflage is normal for the birds’ nesting renders and keeping away their toddlers from predation.
Pillar Four: Migration And Survival Strategies
Migratory, many hummingbirds adhere to this significant aspect of their lives. It strains their endurance and demands specialized survival skills.
Migration Patterns
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species that migrates to Florida. Once in a while you might attract a Rufous hummingbird, even rarer, a Black c
Migration from the US and Alaska to Central and South America
The scope of the migration depends on the species; the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, for example, makes the trip from southern Canada. as far south as Panama in Central America. That’s a long journey required in order to locate warmer weather and food that isn’t available in the colder months.
Capability to Transit the Gulf of Mexico
Believe it or not, Ruby throats are frequently reported to fly directly across the Gulf of Mexico, a flight of up to 20 hours without landing! Some get lucky and get to rest on an oil rig off shore, or lesser boat rides but most have to continue flying straight through.
Survival Strategies
To withstand the migration exercises, and food scarcity, they can use multiple survival techniques to stay alive.
Fat Gain and Windy Assistance
These birds will double their weight in fat reserves before migration, which will sustain the birds throughout the migration.
Nightly “Torpor” State to Get Through Food Scarcity
Like many other small birds, hummingbirds experience a decrease in metabolic rate and enter a state known as torpor, particularly overnight or in colder climates. Their heart rate and respiration slows as well, and the energy to keep the body warm drops accordingly. This is particularly useful when food prospects are slim through the evening.
Hummingbird Migration: Part 5
Studying the distance and duration of these great migrations reveals a great deal about these birds’ stamina and adaptability. These small but robust birds travel thousands of miles in migration from their winter homes in Central America to their northern breeding areas by spring.
Carron these non voluntary sets up, then, feel and escape.
Every spring, millions of these diminutive birds migrate from Central America to North America. For example, ruby throats, some of North America’s most familiar birds, begin to reach the South Florida area in March before dispersing northward. This trip works in conjunction with the blooming of various types of plants all along the way, providing the sustenance they require for the voyage. These movements are perfectly matched with seasons to ensure that there is enough to eat at each subsequent step.
Doctrine of Indirect Reference for the Progressive Era
Those minuscule avians get very aggressive in order to defend the territory that contained flowers and feeders, especially if you were the male. They stake out territories with plenty of nectar, a food density that’s essential to attract a female for mating and for the energy needed to migrate. In also shoo away rivals from food and other resources needed to feed their babies.
Part 6: Hummingbird Habitat
A great part in the migration of these birds is location, generally making these small birds go to areas where conditions of food and nesting are good.
While migrating, why do hummingbirds decide to settle in their habitats?
These little birds are extremely fussy about the places they choose on migration. When you do find them, however, good to look for where they can easily get food from or where they could escape in certain seasons it would be hard to find them. Hence the great importance of nectar-yielding flowers and also of trees and shrubs that provide protection from predators. They also need access to places to nest when migrating, and so habitats with a mix of under and overgrown vegetation may be of particular value.
Characteristics of Appropriate Habitats and Environments
Multiple habitat traits are pefect for hummingbirds lives. They need to be rich in nectar providing plants, as well as be free from realistic predators, allowing a food source and a shield. Through perching, feeding, and nesting, they are immediately fed by places with diverse plants at multiple heights. The different types of habitats provide the different needs of hummingbirds and ensure their nesting and feeding grounds that are in proximity to migration routes.
Make sure to check our full series about Hummingbird, how you can feed them and what you need to know about it!
Because these birds possess the highest metabolism rates of the animal kingdom, their diet must be calorically dense and rapidly assimilated.
A Hummingbird’s Diet In Nutshell
These birds feed on nectar and insects. As nectar is rich in sugars, it provides the necessary energy as quickly as possible to power the high metabolism rates and energy-demanding body systems. Insects are both an essential source of protein and other nutritional requirements for growth and health. Hummingbirds don’t eat pollen directly, but a lot of pollen can get stuck to their tongue and bills when they sip up nectar from flowers. Some of that pollen does get ingested, and it can provide a slight amount of protein even if it isn’t consumed directly.
Where Glucose Comes from and Why It Matters
These birds need glucose to fuel their energetically demanding lifestyle. Nectar-derived glucose provides them with rapid energy for long flights and rapid wing beats that shape up the hovering flight pattern. If the glucose levels of hummingbirds aren’t constantly replenished, they will run out of glycogen and will no longer have energy.
The Importance of Protein to Female Hummingbirds and Their Chicks
“And you just think, well, these are flowers, they produce nectar that we enjoy on our pancakes or in our tea, whatever. But when it comes to nesting, protein is more important for females. It is essential for egg formation and chick development. Females get their protein from insects and spiders, the elemental diets of young chicks. This allows them to grow and become strong enough to survive the migration to come.
HummingBirds of Florida
Plants That are Important in The Diet of Hummingbirds
Because they feed on nectar, flowers are especially important to diets. The color and tubular shape of many flowers make them an ideal food source for hummingbirds, which feed on them. These plants produce ultra-necessary nectar and, via the unsightly insects that hang around them, an extra protein source. Such adaptations benefit the plants that are able to get pollinated and the birds that get a food source.
Part 8: Hummingbird-Attracting Plants
Some plants are able to attract other birds because they are designed to produce flowers for them whenever they go into their gardens or other natural areas.
- Plants That Are Best For Luring Hummingbirds
Planting red buckeye, bottlebrush, coral honeysuckle, etc. can lure hummingbirds to the garden. These plants produce brightly colored flowers and high nectar volumes, which are favored by hummingbirds.
- Flower Shape and the Beak Shape of Hummingbirds
Flowers and some hummingbirds have undergone a form of coevolution that results in a harmonious relationship in the shapes of the two. These birds possess long, pointed bills that can fit into tubular flowers well suck in nectar that other birds can’t. This specialization is mutual because as the birds chow down on the flowers, they also pollinate them, and the flowers provide a food source for the hummingbirds.
Some Suggestions of plants rich in Nectar for Home Gardening
If you would like to host these birds, you can plant native plants, like Bee Balm, and Trumpet Vine. These beautiful colored plants are loaded with nectar, which attracts birds (especially hummingbirds) and adds to the biodiversity of the surroundings.
The Use Of Hummingbird Feeders — Part 9
Feeders can provide these birds with a lifeline during migration and in seasons when flowers are not abundant.
Why Artificial Feeding Is Not Very Useful
Feeders provide easy and reliable sources of food, but they should ideally complement natural nectar sources. THIS IS IMPORTANT FEEDERS CAN NOT SUPPLEMENT INSECT NUTRIENTS AND PROTEIN
20 Sweet Recipes and Considerations Hummingbird Feeders
This is not a risk when making homemade nectar, as long as the ratio of water to sugar is correct! What is a good ratio of water to sugar? Do not add red dyes to it — these are toxic to hummingbirds. Most hummingbird feeders have sufficient red on them to draw these tiny flyers.
Choose Your Sugar Source Wisely (e.g. Use Pure Granulated Sugar)
Keep in mind that white granulated sugar should be used in making nectar. Instead, other foods such as honey, maple syrup, or artificial sweeteners are toxic because they support bacterial activity that leads to fungal infections, or in the case of artificial sweeteners, starvation. Do not ever use organic or raw sugar, as these are unrefined and contain molasses, which is rich in iron. Hummingbirds can’t process the iron, and it will soon kill them. Pure white granulated sugar and water are the healthiest for them.
Part 10: A Delight Of Watching Hummingbirds
Observing these birds is an enjoyable experience and provides insight into their graceful yet energetic lifestyles.
Hummingbird Viewing Experiences
Birdwatching can also be a hobby, as can the exploration of their flying patterns, rapid wing flaps and feeding patterns. It is indeed hilarious, entertaining and amazing to see a hummingbird fluttering around in the air or doing aerial displays to defend its territory.
Guide to Setting Up Feeders and Plants to Make Birdwatching More Enjoyable
So to allow for these birds to come close enough to be watched while feeding, it’s best to keep feeders fairly near doors and windows (playing the never game of using feeders attached to windows, which can lead to bird strikes) or in any open place where they can be easily seen. Native plants should also be grown, ideally with bright colorful flowers, and accessories such as shallow bodies of water such as pools or fountains should be added. With the feeders and the native plants, one can have a garden that hummers will love with the perfect set up for bird-watching all hummingbird season long.
11: Hummingbird Feeding And Care Tips
These wonderful, strong birds also must be appropriately cared for to be well-fed. Keep their feeders clean and the right mixture of nectar in them, and you can sit back and enjoy their visits all season.
Sugar Water Mixture
To lure in hummingbirds, mix four parts of water with one part of sugar (4 cups water to 1 cup sugar) for the ideal nectar solution.
Boil water, take off of fire and measure water. Add sugar and stir until it dissolves. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour it into the feeder. Any remaining nectar can be refrigerated for one week.
Avoid Dyes
Do not add red dye to the sugar water; this will hurt the birds. You can entice hummingbergs with red-colored flying strips or red blooming flowers.
Feeder Maintenance
In warm, muggy conditions (like that of Florida), sanitize feeders more often based on temperature, to reduce the growth of bacteria and even mold.
- 70-84 F…. Clean every 3 days
- 85-89 F…. Clean every 2 days
- 90 F and over…. Clean every single day
Clean well, but do not use soap, which can leave residue behind. Hot water and brushes are all that is needed. For narrow feeding ports, small port brushes are best. If you spot black mold or bacteria, it’s a sign you are not cleaning regularly enough. Soak your feeder in a 1:10 bleach-and-water solution for 15 minutes, then scrub well. Wash thoroughly with fresh water.
Feeder Types
There are various sizes of these feeders. Choose one that holds enough of the sugar solution to serve the number of birds visiting your garden, and only fill it sparingly, as the nectar spoils easily.
Feeder Placement
Hang feeders in places that will be avoided by other species of birds and use up to 3 feeders to eliminate much of the fighting and chasing.
Natural Diet
These birds get protein from insects and pollen, which they consume like nectar. Offering up flowers for those insects help feed the birds’ natural diet and provides them with a plethora to eat off of.
Feeding Frequency
The feeders should be re-filled and cleaned according to temperature, see recommendation above. The small birds need a new solution in order to work properly, and nectar can quickly become the breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
Metabolism: Some Observations on Hummingbirds
Rather interestingly, a hummingbird’s metabolism rate ranks as some of the fastest in the avian extended family; a hummingbird eats approximately seven food calories per day. It can take in copious amounts of nectar, primarily sucrose, but it has no increase in body mass, as it is used for energy.
Territorial and Mating Behavior
The males of the bird species are aggressive towards the chosen area and they always choose where there is abundant food available. Their vibrant colors serve a dual purpose: attracting a female while also discouraging a male rival.
Questions from the Audience
The often asked about by hummingbird owners:
- Nectar: Red is the preferred color of hummingbirds, thus both nectar, and red feeders, are a perfect choice to lure hummingbirds.
- A clean feeders discourages food fermentation or mold growth, which causes infections in hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds embody a wonderful combination of beauty, persistence, and ecological significance. Observing these small but mighty critters finds us appreciating nature’s resourcefulness. In helping hummingbirds through conservation and careful feeding practices, we help conserve Florida’s vibrant and delicate ecosystems. Great for Florida hummingbird experience.
