Lift Drop Tail

Lift Drop Tail

Learning About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are a joy for a birdwatcher to observe. They are found only in the Western Hemisphere, from as far north as Southeastern Alaska and the Maritimes of Canada and as far south as Southern Chile. There are approximately 350 species of hummingbirds with 320 species found in the tropics. Within the family of hummingbirds is found the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba at 2.17 inches (5.5 cm) and weight 1.95gm (0.07 oz). Hummingbirds range in size from 2 inches to 8 inches.

The hummingbird derives its name from the humming sound that is produced by its rapid wingbeat. Generally the wingbeat is so rapid that the individual only sees a blur as most of these birds flap their wings about 50 times per second. The speed of the wingbeat depends on the size of the bird, the largest the Giant Hummingbird, has a wingbeat rate of 10-15 times per second. The fastest recorded rate was about 80 times per second, on a tiny Amethyst Woodstar, and the slightly smaller Bee Hummingbird - the world's smallest bird - may have an even faster rate. A hummingbird's wing is flexible at the shoulder, but inflexible at the wrist, this enables them to fly in many different directions. They can fly right, left, up, down, backwards and even upside down. To move away from the flowers on which they feed hummingbirds fly backwards and are the only bird able to fly backwards. While other birds get their flight power from the downstroke only, hummingbirds also have strength on the up-stroke. Though they fly very fast, they can suddenly stop and make a soft landing. They are so light they do not build up much momentum. Hummingbirds have poorly developed feet, so that although they are able to perch and will do so when feeding or resting, they do not walk. In order to move, even along a branch, they fly. Hummingbirds lift from perches without pushing off; they rise entirely on their own power, flapping their wings at almost full speed before lifting off. Hummingbirds sleep perched on branches with their neck retracted and their head forward, the bill pointed up at a sharp angle, and the feathers fluffed.

It is believed that hummingbirds live for only 3 to 4 years. They have a fast heartbeat with a rate of 1260 beats per minute having been measured in a Blue-throated Hummingbird. In torpid hummingbirds, the heart rate can drop to 50-180 per minute. Their fast heart rate and rapid wing motion require them to feed regularly throughout the day. It is reported that they must feed every 10 minutes and they may consume 2/3 of their body weight in a single day. A major part of a hummingbird's diet is the nectar they obtain from flowers and their bills are perfectly adapted to the various types of flowers that they feed on. Some hummingbirds have especially curved or elongated bills that allow them to feed on special flowers, eg the White-tipped Sicklebill hummingbird whose downward curving bill allows it to draw nectar from heliconias. The Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird has a short and slightly decurved bill that is suited to feeding on the flowers of the ixora shrub. The Blue-tailed Emerald has a short bill that is suited for feeding on the Hibiscus flower. The Copper-rumped Hummingbird has a straight long bill that allows it to feed on medium sized tube shaped flowers such as the allamanda. In feeding, hummingbirds use their tongue to lap the nectar in a similar manner to cats lapping milk. Their tongue can extend a distance equal to their beak length. As they feed hummingbirds accidentally collect pollen and as they move from flower to flower, they help the flowers to reproduce.

Hummingbirds have little or no sense of smell, so colour is important to a hummingbird's search process for locating flowers containing nectar. While they will visit any flower that has sufficient nectar they prefer flowers that are red to orange in colour. It is believed that there are several reasons for this colour preference. Red flowers standout in a green background and so are more easily seen by the hummingbird. It is also believed that because hummingbirds compete with insects for nectar they choose flowers that are less likely to be visited by insects. Most insects do not see well at the red end of the colour spectrum and so may not visit red flowers while hummingbirds see the full visible spectrum.

Hummingbirds also need protein in order to build muscles, so they eat insects. They prefer to feed on small spiders and slow-flying insects such as gnats, small wasps and leafhoppers, which are rather buoyant in air and easy to catch. They also probe the bark and foliage for insects such as aphids, spiders, caterpillars and insect eggs. It is believed that up to one-half of their diet is made up of small insects. Hummingbirds are capable of living for extended periods without nectar as a component of their diet. They can quickly convert fat reserves and recently ingested insects to energy when deprived of nectar. Hummingbirds compete for nectar and insects and so they develop territories, which they guard aggressively. They will fight with other hummingbirds that enter their territory but serious harm is seldom inflicted during these fights. Also when food sources are scarce they fight to protect their source.

Most hummingbirds are green except hermits, which are mainly brown, and are known for the iridescence. These brilliant, iridescent colors of the hummingbird plumage are caused by the refraction of incident light by the structures of certain feathers. These structures split light into its component colors, and only certain frequencies are refracted back to the viewer. The brown colour in some hummingbirds is the result however of pigmentation. Hummingbirds groom themselves with their bills and claws, using oil from a gland near their tail. They also use their claws like a comb to groom their heads and necks. They sunbathe positioning their breast towards the sun and fluffing out, extending their neck and spreading their tail. Hummingbirds also take water baths using the water in shallow pools or cupped leaves. They flutter their wings or pull them straight back while lifting and spreading their tail; they dip their chins and bellies into the water. At times they can be seen sitting on a bare branch allowing the rain to soak through to their skin. After bathing they will preen and dry their feathers.

Hummingbirds build cup shaped nests, however hermits build long hanging nests usually attached to foliage. Male hummingbirds do not contribute to the building of nests or the care of young. All feeding is therefore left to the female. When feeding the female perches on the side of the nest, arches her back, stretches her neck, lifts her head, and holds her bill down to regurgitate nectar and half-digested insects to her babies. Her throat swells and she pumps her beak like a sewing needle.

Although various larger birds, snakes, and mammals raid hummingbird nests for eggs and chicks, this is not a major cause of death.

About the Author

This article was provided by Brian Ramsey, who is the author of the bird identification CD, Discovering the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago found at www.birdsoftt.com

Drop-Tail 13 inch Spare/Replacement Wheel and Tire Set $175 . Drop-Tail 13 inch Spare/Replacement Wheel and Tire Set

Safco - Drop/Lift Wall Rack $47.99 0% 1 Each 5030 7.75" Width x 12" Depth x 1.25" Height Drop/Lift Wall Rack Mounting hardware Wall rack bolts to a wall and extends less than 12". Rack holds up to 1,200 sheets in 12 hanging clamps. Mounting hardware is included. Installation is recommended on wall studs or solid-back wall surfaces. Hanging clamps are sold separately. Steel frame holds up to 240 lb. Drop/Lift Wall Rack GREENGUARD No Safco Safco Products Steel Tropic Sand Wall Bracket Yes www.safcoproducts.com

Pro Comp Transmission Drop Bracket $236.99 Transmission Drop Bracket; For 6 in. Lift;

Drop Pitman Arm $60.99 Drop Pitman Arm; For Use with 4+ in. Lift Kit;

Lift Kit $2066.99 Lift Kit; 4 in.; Incl. Steering Knuckles; Upper Strut Spacers; Skid Plate; Front Cross Members; Differential Drop Brackets; Rear Coil Springs;

Wilson Combat 429BC 1911 Blue Drop In Beaver Tail OffCom $53.77 This Wilson Combat 1911 safety is made with the beaver tail design. This item is great for 1911 replacement parts although you might have to and ampfile the frame to attach on some models of 1911 firearms. Beaver tail grip safety. Drop in design. Blued steel design. Hand: Right.

eS Men's Edward Macho Tail Drop Collab Skate Shoes $35 You don't have to know how to ollie to appreciate a great skate shoe. With its leather upper and rubber sole, the Edward Macho Tail Drop is ready for both nosegrinds and the grindstone. Hit the streets in style.

Panhard Drop Down Bracket $97.99 Panhard Drop Down Bracket; For 6 in. Lift; Bolt-On; Black Powder Coat;

Brookside Design DLWC Drop Lift Wall Rack $47.39 Brookside Design comes to you with over 20 years of experience in providing quality products that meet exacting criteria for function durability and aesthetics. Our products have been proven to be the product of choice for a wide range of professionals. We take pride in our exceptional customer service quality products and fast shipping. Let Brookside Design solve your immediate organization and storage needs for oversized media. Provides compact droplift storage for 12 clamps (sold separately) from 18 to 42 long and sheet sizes to any length. Clamps lift out and drop in for easy access. Extends 15 from the wall ideal where space is limited. Maximum capacity 1200 sheets. Finished in a durable sand beige powder coat finish.

Suspension Lift Kit $1181.99 Suspension Lift Kit; 6 in. Lift; Incl. Coils/Rr Springs/Bushings/Upr/Lwr ContArms/Axle Shims/Transfer Case Drop/Ext. Rr Brake Line/BumpStops; Black Powder Coat;

Suspension Lift Kit by Tomkin $1181.99 Suspension Lift Kit; 6 in. Lift; Incl. Coils/Rr Springs/Bushings/Upr/Lwr ContArms/Axle Shims/Transfer Case Drop/Ext. Rr Brake Line/BumpStops/Black Powder Coat;

Suspension Lift Kit w/Shocks $1159.99 Suspension Lift Kit w/Shocks; 6 in. Lift; Incl. Coil Springs; Track Bar Relocation Bracket; Drop Pitman; Shocks;

Long Tail Kitty $3.95 Lark Pien's clever, precise, unique comics are favorites with graphic-novel fans, and Long Tail Kitty marks her debut in the children's-book world. Meet Long Tail Kitty and his friends and neighbors: a bee who's friends with the flowers (at least the nice ones); Good Tall Mouse, who likes ice skating; and a family of aliens who drop in for one night of fun. The warmth and visual wit of these stories are sure to win over young readers, who will want to return again and again to Long Tail Kitty's house, by the hill, by the meadow, by the lake, by the river, by the town, by the bridge on the street where he lives.

Drop $10 Drop

Pro Comp 6 in. Lift Kit with ES9000 Shocks $1561.99 Lift Height: 6 in.;Front Lift: Drop Crossmember,Strut Spacers & Steering Knuckles;Includes: Differential Drop Brackets, Sway Bar Drop Brackets;Rear Lift: Block/U-Bolt Kit with Add-A-Leafs;Shocks: Rear ES9000 Shocks;Shock Boots Included;Max Tire Size: 35X1