| Hummingbird food in the wild may not be much | | | | noted that tagged birds come back to the same area |
| different from what we offer them when we try to | | | | after their migration each year. The tiny birds can be |
| attract them to our gardens. They are a somewhat | | | | almost totally dependent on the flower as the source |
| new bird in the animal world, and their range is as | | | | of their food. So, whether their flowers of choice grow |
| diverse as their choices of habitat. | | | | at higher or lower elevations, that is where you will find |
| There are over three hundred species of | | | | the migratory species. |
| hummingbirds, and they are as easily spotted in your | | | | Hummingbird statistics differ, depending on your |
| back yard as they are in their many other habitats. As | | | | information source, but it is generally believed that there |
| long as there is food that attracts them, and shelter, | | | | are 16 or 17 different species that breed in the United |
| they will come. | | | | States. Eight other breeds have been documented |
| Many hummingbird species prefer more than one | | | | visiting the states. Most of the diverse species are |
| habitat, and you may see them in alpine meadows, | | | | found in Arizona and Texas. |
| riparian forests, deserts and coastal areas. Some | | | | Overall, the western states have more thriving |
| species will migrate like many other birds do, wintering | | | | communities of hummingbirds than eastern states do. |
| in warmer areas and heading to temperate areas for | | | | The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species |
| summer and their breeding season. Some of the | | | | that breeds consistently on the east coast. Bird-lovers |
| species do travel farther north - the Rufous | | | | have documented eleven different species in Georgia, |
| Hummingbird has been known to breed as far north as | | | | so some of the species obviously visit the eastern |
| Alaska. | | | | states as well. |
| Nectar is the most common hummingbird food for | | | | If you build a feeder and make nectar to attract |
| adults of the breed. Their tongue and bill are useful in | | | | hummingbirds to your area, you will be fortunate if your |
| gathering the sweet nectar from flowers. Their | | | | yard is claimed by a hummingbird as a part of its home |
| habitats are diverse, but some researchers have | | | | territory. |