Attracting Hummingbirds
to your Florida yard is easier than you think!
Even
if hummingbirds were abundant in a state you may have lived
or visited before, catching a glimpse of one of these jeweled
acrobats is still enough to fill you with awe. What other
creature can amaze us with feats such as flying backwards
or upside down? But because of their supposed scarcity in
our state, your first glimpse of a hummingbird in your Florida
yard or garden should certainly be appreciated and savored
as the rare gift that it is.
Although there are more than 338 known species of hummingbirds
in the Americas, only about sixteen of those are found in
the United States. Of those sixteen, the ruby-throated hummingbird
was once thought of as the only one that would ever be seen
in your Florida yard.
However, according to statistics collected during various
bird counts, there have actually been ten species documented
in the state. The ruby throated hummingbird, however, is still
the most prevalant species.
The average hummingbird is only about 3 inches long and weighs
about one-quarter of an ounce (about as much as a penny).
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites
in the bird world. Hummingbirds feed about every ten or fifteen
minutes from dawn to dusk, consuming more than half their
weight in food every day.
Many authorities suggest that the best time to garden for
hummingbirds is in the summer, since their nesting season
is from March to September. Others state that they see hummingbirds
in their Florida yards starting in the fall. Your best bet
for attracting hummingbirds to your yard is to provide a year-round
garden of their favorite plants.
Hummingbirds are said to be most drawn to tubular flowers
that are either large and showy or in drooping clusters of
red, orange and pink. However, some Florida residents have
seen hummingbirds on the deep purple blooms of Ruellia caroliniana,
the popular "Wild Petunia". Others have attracted hummingbirds
by planting the colorful Aptenia cordifolia, "Baby sun rose"
in hanging baskets. Therefore, it is best to plant a variety
of species, choosing native plants when available for ease
of maintenance.Since hummingbirds are very territorial, space
your hummingbird plants in separate groupings around your
yard and at varying heights, starting at about 18" above the
ground.
Nectar feeders can
also be used as a supplemental food source for hummingbirds.
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