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Their tiny size, bright colors, and acrobatic flying–they can fly backwards and upside down–make them a favorite for everyone, so it makes sense for birders to want hummingbirds in their backyard.
Hummingbird flight is different from other bird flight in that the wing is extended throughout the whole stroke, which is a symmetrical figure of eight, [17] with the wing producing lift on both the up- and down-stroke. [12] [13] Hummingbirds beat their wings at some 43 times per second, [18] while others may be as high as 80 times per second. [19]
The metabolism of hummingbirds can slow at night or at any time when food is not readily available; the birds enter a deep-sleep state (known as torpor) to prevent energy reserves from falling to a critical level. One study of broad-tailed hummingbirds found that body weight decreased linearly throughout torpor at a rate of 0.04 g per hour. [109]
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in North America as permanent residents, summer or winter residents or visitors, or migrants.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer visiting red and orange flowers, while rufous hummers are less picky. For artificial feeders, the bright color of the feeder itself can attract more hummingbirds.
Most hummingbirds migrate in the winter to Central America or Mexico, but some hummingbirds spend the winter on the Gulf Coast and may be found in South Texas and South Louisiana during mild winters.
The tufted coquette (Lophornis ornatus) is a tiny hummingbird that breeds in eastern Venezuela, Trinidad, Guiana, and northern Brazil. It is an uncommon but widespread species, and appears to be a local or seasonal migrant, although its movements are not well understood. This small bird inhabits open country, gardens, and cultivated areas.
To encourage hummingbirds to your yard, you can grow a variety of nectar-producing flowers and have feeders to supplement when blooms are in short supply, says the University of Wisconsin-Madison.