…Zoom! You are in your garden when you hear a loud buzzing sound and twittering squeaks. Chances are, you just had a near miss with a duet of dualing hummingbirds! Although hummingbirds are small, do not underestimate them! The males of most species are quite aggressive towards other hummingbirds, and it is not uncommon to see them chasing other hummers away from “their” sugar water feeders.

If you would like to attract hummingbirds to your yard, there are a few things you can do to entice them to visit. These tiny birds are attracted to red things, so you can cultivate plants that produce red flowers, or hang up a red sugar water feeder.

Thankfully, it is easy to make your own sugar water! All you need to do is mix 1 cup of white sugar into 4 cups of water, and then bring it to a boil on a stove until all of the sugar has dissolved. Make sure to change the water in the feeder every few days, especially on hot summer days, so that the water doesn’t get too nasty.

Some Hummingbird Species

There are several species of hummingbirds in the American West, including the Anna’s, Allen’s, Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds. Below are a few interesting facts about each species:

Anna’s Hummingbird

The stunning Anna’s Hummingbird is common along the western coast of the United States, and its range has been expanding over the last few decades. The males have an incredible display dive that they perform for other hummingbirds, or even for a person if they get too close.

Allen’s Hummingbird

Found primarily in California, the striking Allen’s Hummingbird also performs a boisterous display dive for its mate. The males are more dazzling than the females, and they will perched on a bare branch looking for any intruders into their territory.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds do indeed have a black chin, or at least that is how it appears most of the time. When the lighting is just right and the male turns towards the viewer, a bright purple band pops out of the black chin! This phenomenon occurs when light bounces out of prism-like feathers, only reflecting certain colors from specific angles.

Calliope Hummingbird

Although it is the tiniest bird in North America, the Calliope Hummingbird is by no means the least intimidating! The males of this species can flair out their throat feathers, known as a gorget, when they are asserting their dominance.

Rufous Hummingbird

Closely related to the almost identical Allen’s Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird vies for the title of most aggressive hummingbird in North America! Males and females are extremely territorial and will chase other hummingbirds away from flowers and feeders, even while they are on migration!

Genesis 1:20

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” (ESV)

Hummingbirds are some of the world’s smallest birds, but they can still show us the incredible power the Lord has as their Creator! He made them with many incredible abilities, such as being able to fly backwards, sustain over 50 wing beats per second, and have a heart rate of over 400 beats per minute! Remember to give the Lord the praise He is due the next time you see one of these fantastic beauties in your backyard or on the trail.