We have hummingbirds in our yard every year. I keep hummingbird feeders full of fresh sugar-water solution and I place them right outside our kitchen bay window so we can easily watch them. My mom has given many bird watching books and I've looked through them with Nicholas and discussed hummingbirds. We've talked about how they are the smallest bird and that they get their name from the hum of their wings which are flapping so fast that you can hardly see them. We've watched their feeding/rest patterns and Nicholas has noticed on his own how they feed very quickly then fly off to a tree branch to take a little break but they usually come right back a couple of minutes later. One flew away as we were watching it at the feeder and I said sadly, "Oh, he's gone." Nicholas said very matter of factly, "Don't worry. He'll be right back."
Hummingbirds, as small as they are, are fierce fighters when it comes to other birds, especially other hummingbirds, in their territory. When they find a feeder, it's hummingbird heaven and they'll fight hard to protect it. We had an opportunity today to watch two hummingbirds "duking it out". One would go to the feeder and the other would make these cute little squeaks that are probably supposed to invoke fear in its enemy and then it dive bombed toward the hummer at the feeder. Nicholas thoroughly enjoyed the show.
No comments:
Post a Comment