Hummingbirds - Reproduction and Life Cycle
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Picture source:
Ms Chloe's Stuff
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Hummingbirds do not form pairs except for mating. The species is sexually mature by 2-12 months of age. A female usually chooses a male for mating and constructs a nest from grasses, plant down, and other materials that make the nest warm and cozy. The materials may be bonded together with spider's web and other substances. The incubation period is about 14-23 days.
As a rule, a hatch of one or two eggs that are the size of a bean is laid. The second egg is laid two days after the first egg has been laid and the incubation begins. Occasionally, three eggs are found in a nest, yet they hardly come from one Hummingbird and are likely to have been put in the nest by a bird that lost a nest.
The mother is very caring and leaves the nest only for feeding. The young are hatched blind and naked. They are fed spiders and nectar gathered by the mother. The diet is rich in protein and the little Hummingbirds grow very quickly. In about three weeks, they are ready to leave the nest. Actually, the female starts to consider them rivals and forces them out of the nest.
In some species, the adult feathering is formed early, whereas other species winter with their immature feathers on their bodies, and only after that, they change the feathering. The molt should be accomplished before the Hummingbirds migrate to northern areas.
Hummingbirds - Links
Attracting Hummingbirds - Information on feeders and recipes to attract the Hummingbird.
Birds of Stanford - Allen's Hummingbirds - Presents icons that indicate various aspects of the species' reproduction and feeding ecology. Find essays on Hummingbird flight and foraging.
Birds of Stanford - Anna's Hummingbirds - Read of the bird's courtship displays and flight. Photo shows the striking coloration of its head.
Birds of Stanford - Rufous Hummingbirds - Image highlights the green, red, and orange head of the species. Touches on its diet and nest type.
Birdsforever.com - Hummingbirds - How to attract more Hummingbirds.
Care and Feeding of Hummingbirds - One of our most fascinating and handsome migrants, the Hummingbird is simple to attract to backyards. A few simple tips can improve a homeowner's chances of keeping these tiny birds around all summer.
Chloe's Hummingbird Page - General information, sounds, and photos of Hummingbirds in the western United States.
Creating a Hummingbird Haven - Information on the Hummingbird and how to attract them to the garden.
Dan True's Hummingbird Photos - Photos from the book "Hummingbirds of North America" and Hummingbird House kit.
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Picture source:
William Zittrich Home Page
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Debbie's Tips For Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds - Nectar recipe and instructions on feeder cleaning, preferred plants and where to place your nectar feeder.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hummingbirds - How do Hummingbirds eat? Hummingbird flight, Hummingbird song, Hummingbird gorgets, and fun facts about Hummingbirds.
Greg Lasley's Hummingbirds - Photos and notes of 14 Hummingbird species from throughout the Americas.
Hank Hogan's Hummingbird Photos - Close-up photographs and notes.
Hummer/Bird Study Group - Dedicated to the study and preservation of Hummingbirds and other neotropical migrants. Hummingbird species accounts, winter Hummingbird banding, feeding tips, events, banding stations, and on-line store.
Humming Bird Information - Hummingbird basics, an incredible metabolism, birds of a different feather, mating and raising young, and Hummingbird feeding.
Hummingbird Cards - Send a Hummingbird postcard to a friend or family member. Card designs include photographs and watercolor paintings.
Hummingbird Gardens - Lists of regional plants to attract Hummingbirds, and information on water and misting.
Hummingbird Photography - Close-up photographs of Hummingbirds, including nests and babies; Hummingbird poetry, art, articles, and screen saver.
Hummingbird Watching in Southeastern Arizona - The Hummingbirds of Arizona, Hummingbird banding, frequently asked questions, Hummingbird tours and workshops, and photographs.
Hummingbird WebSite - Photo Gallery - Photographs by a large collection of artists and links.
Hummingbirds - Comprehensive site for North American Hummingbirds, with photo album, migration maps, attracting and feeding tips, species accounts, and articles.
Hummingbirds - Little Birds with Big Appeal - Hummingbirds include the smallest birds in the world but they belong to one of the largest families of birds.
Hummingbirds and Butterflies - This publication highlights key steps to protect and provide the important habitat areas needed by Hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hummingbirds in Houston - Plan to see the nectar-drinkers in this Texas city. Find out when they are active and what feeding solutions and plants they like.
Hummingbirds--Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden - Hummingbirds are garden jewels, as beautiful as they are valuable. Each weighing less than a nickel, Hummingbirds play an important role in the garden as pollinators and insect predators.
Invite Hummers to Your Garden - Jewels of the bird kingdom, Hummingbirds beguile us with their glorious colors and remarkable acrobatics.
Jerry Blinn's Hummingbird Photos - High-quality images of a Rufous Hummingbird.
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Picture source:
William Zittrich Home Page
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Journey North: UnPave the Way for Hummingbirds - Tips for creating Hummingbird habitat.
New Jersey Audubon Society - How to create a butterfly and Hummingbird garden, by Patricia Sutton.
Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project - Projects that can teach you, students, and teachers more about Hummingbirds. Many photos and information about Hummingbird banding and landscaping.
Portal Productions' Hummingbird Web Site - Select the name of a subspecies to view a picture and details about its distribution. For some birds, a map illustrates their locations.
R. W. Scott's Birds in Flight - Images of Hummingbirds and other birds captured with high-speed flash photography.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) - Photo, range maps, physical traits, habitat, and diet of this species.
The Hummingbird Society - Nonprofit group based in Delaware for Hummingbird fans. Photo gallery, FAQ, electronic greeting cards, catalog, wallpaper images, and links.
Trochilids - Hummingbird Projects - Winter western Hummingbird reports from Mississippi, Louisiana, and the eastern US, with extensive links to additional information.
Wintering Hummingbirds - Leave Your Feeders Out! - Article discusses wintering Hummingbirds found throughout North and South Carolina.
