Although their bills are thin and the manner in which they consume food is by swallowing and not chewing, hummingbirds do infact have teeth. The amount they have will vary based on the breed but, most will have 20+ small thorn shaped denchers can positioned at their ends of their bills, often used as weapon when … Read more
Hummingbirds are among the most impressive avian species in the world. They are the smallest, produce the fastest wingbeat rate, and are the only bird species that can fly backward. These amazing skills mean that the hummingbird has an exceptionally high metabolism, seeking as many as 2000 flowers daily to satisfy their appetite. To attract … Read more
Hummingbirds do have a tongue, a tongue so long that it coils up around their skull and eyes once retracts back inside. This tongue of theirs is mostly used for consuming food whether it be to consume nectar from feeders, from flowers or hunting insects. For a more detailed explanation of how the tongue functions, … Read more
Hummingbirds will only eat at night if artificial lighting is used within their surroundings allowing them to see more. If so, they will be open to feeding well into the night, especially when the weather is on the warmer side at summer. When migrating they may come to feeders at night to top up before flying … Read more
Hummingbirds are not nocturnal. They are actually what is referred to as diurnal birds which means they hunt or search for food in the morning and sleep at night. They may be seen eating at night due to artificial lighting or when migrating but, in most scenarios night time is when they hibernate and sleep … Read more
Hummingbird feeders get air locked when the sugar water within becomes overheated. As a result when hummingbirds or others birds attempt to use the feeder, they will air lock the feeder holes as the slurping action locks up the pathway. Water vapor rising within the feeder will also contribute to how often a feeder will … Read more
Mold forms on objects that are wet and if the surface of any given feeder is not regularly cleaned, mold spores will eventually attach themselves and inevitably, form mold. Colder climates won’t require maintenance as regularly as hotter temperatures (15 – 27°C) but, no matter the weather it will still eventually be made. After all, … Read more
There are a variety of reasons why a hummingbird will fight with another. It can be as a way to assert dominance, to protect their young, to protect their territory, and in this case to stop others consuming sugar water from feeders they’ve claimed to be their own. Although hummingbirds won’t always go out of … Read more
Hummingbirds will not fly with hummingbirds but, in some occasions they may brush paths with a mixed flock that is journeying in the same direction. However, as these birds are solitary migrators they will rarely, if ever, fly south in a flock full of other hummingbirds. With that being said there are a few rare … Read more
Yes, adult male hummingbirds do migrate first. This is so they can first take over their own territory within which they will eventually court the female hummingbirds once they have migrated as well. However, juvenile males migrate at the same time as females and juvenile females the first year they’re alive so technically it’s only … Read more
