Hummingbirds of Florida: Tiny Tenants with a Big Appetite for Fun (and Sugar Water)
Florida's sunshine state status extends a warm welcome to not just tourists, but also a dazzling cast of feathered friends. Among these are the hummingbirds, those aerial acrobats who blur the line between bird and living jewel. But with over 300 hummingbird species buzzing around the Americas, which ones grace the skies of Florida? Buckle up, hummingbird enthusiasts, because we're about to dive into this fascinating (and feathery) topic!
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| What Hummingbirds Are In Florida |
The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird: Florida's Feathered Fashionista
The undisputed champion of Florida's hummingbird scene is the ruby-throated hummingbird. This dazzling little dude (or dudette, because females lack the flashy red throat) is all about speed, agility, and looking fabulous. Males boast an iridescent red throat that seems to shimmer like a tiny disco ball, while both sexes sport metallic green backs and wings.
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Fun Fact: A ruby-throated hummingbird's wings can beat up to 50 times per second, allowing them to hover in mid-air like a helicopter fueled by sunshine and nectar.
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These little fashionistas are the most common hummers in Florida, and you might even find them becoming regulars at your feeder, darting in for a sugar rush before flitting off to the next floral fashion show (because, let's face it, who can resist looking good while sipping on sugary goodness?).
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But Wait, There's More! Occasional Visitors to the Sunshine State
While the ruby-throated hummingbird is the star of the show, Florida does get visits from a few other hummingbird species. These sightings are less frequent, but if you're an avid birdwatcher, keeping an eye out for these feathered tourists can add a touch of excitement to your backyard birding adventures.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
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- The Rufous Hummingbird: This fiery fellow, with its orangey-red back, is more likely to be seen in the western parts of Florida during migration.
- The Black-Chinned Hummingbird: Look for this visitor with its namesake black chin patch, particularly in the Florida panhandle.
Remember: These sightings are occasional, so consider yourself lucky if you spot one of these flashy fly-by visitors.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Backyard: Operation Sugar Rush
If you're looking to turn your backyard into a hummingbird haven, here are a few tips:
- Set up feeders: Fill feeders with a simple sugar water solution (one part sugar to four parts water) and keep them clean.
- Plant the right flowers: Hummingbirds love brightly colored, tubular flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle.
- Be patient: It might take a while for hummingbirds to discover your new digs, but once they do, get ready for a delightful aerial ballet!
Important Note: Skip the red food dye – it's not good for these little guys. The natural sugar solution is all they need.
Hummingbird FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered (with a Wink)
- How to tell the difference between male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds? Easy! The males forgot to pack their modesty on their migration south and have a flashy red throat. Females, on the other hand, prefer a more understated look.
- How much sugar water does a hummingbird drink? These tiny titans can consume up to half their body weight in sugar water each day! That's like you downing a gallon of soda – talk about a sugar rush!
- Do hummingbirds fight over feeders? Absolutely! These little guys are territorial and will chase each other away to defend their sugary bounty. Think of it as a high-stakes game of aerial jousting, but with much cuter participants.
- How fast can a hummingbird fly? Believe it or not, these feathered speed demons can reach up to 30 miles per hour! Talk about a blur with wings!
- Where do hummingbirds go in the winter? Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migratory and head south to Central America and Mexico for the winter. So, next time you're sipping a margarita on a beach vacation, you might just be sharing the sunshine with a ruby-throated friend!
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