Introduction
Have you ever seen or heard a hummingbird whiz by? If so, you know how remarkable these tiny animals are. They're so magical, in fact, that early Europeans didn't believe explorers' accounts of the "birds that flew like insects!" Hummingbirds can fly in all directions and hover in midair - a feat no other bird can accomplish. Most of them weigh no more than a penny and yet have faster wingbeats than any other bird (up to 200 wingbeats per second, as a matter of fact.) Their feathers are often iridescent, turning a myriad of colors in the sunlight. No wonder people who have regular hummingbird visitors in their yards are the envy of their neighbors.
Are you convinced that you want to bring the magic of hummingbirds to your backyard? Attracting them is simply a matter of knowing how. You don't even have to grow particular flowers to lure them, although certain flowers can be an added attraction. Many people make common mistakes when trying to bring hummers to their yard. In this course, you will learn how to avoid all of them! The next thing you know, you'll have a live show to fascinate you day in and day out.
The best part about having hummingbirds in your yard is how fearless they can be. Because of their speed, they’re not nearly as timid as other birds. They may even come very close to you as they become accustomed to your presence. They have been known to follow their host to the door and hover just outside waiting for feeders to be re-filled.
With a metabolism of break neck speed, survival for a hummingbird is a moment-to-moment issue. As parks are eliminated to build housing, studies show that backyard feeders and gardens help migrating hummers to make it through their long trips in Spring and Fall. But what kind of feeders are best? Which ones are most likely to attract hummers, and which ones make life easier for the birds? Are there certain locations which are best to hang feeders? What can you do if you already have feeders but haven’t yet attracted any hummers? How can you identify the hummingbirds that visit your yard? How can you tell a female from a male bird? What if a young hummingbird seems to be lost as the weather begins to turn cold? What if a hummingbird is injured? This course will answer these questions and more. You will learn why native Americans have considered them magical creatures for centuries, how they survive despite the odds, how to best take care of their needs, how to keep them safe, how to photograph them, and best of all, how to keep them coming to your yard year after year.
Lessons
Click here to see course syllabus
