A Hummingbird's Tongue

Mom's sister gave us a beautiful new hummingbird feeder when she came to visit.  Mom made some food for the hummingbirds.  She heated one cup of water and mixed in one-fourth cup of sugar.  Then she waited for it to cool before she poured it into the feeder.

We hung the feeder outside and waited.  We didn't wait long!!!  Within just a few minutes, a pair of hummingbirds flew in for a drink!  They are called Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.   The male has a beautiful red band around his neck.  They are incredible flyers!

Mom has been taking photos of the hummingbirds.  In one photo, we saw the hummingbird's long tongue.  We did some research and learned that a hummingbird flicks his tongue into the nectar about 20 times per second.  That is FAST!!!

Hummingbirds are fascinating little birds.  They are the world's tiniest bird.  They are also the only bird known to fly backward.  Their wings beat 1200 times per second... PER SECOND!!!  Wow!

To learn more about hummingbirds, just click here:
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/PDFFiles/WYhummer.pdf
http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/8177.pdf
http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/FS_hummingbirdhaven.pdf
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/wildlife/hummer.PDF

Here's an article on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard:
http://midlandnaturalists.org/butterfly_resources/create_hummingbird_butterfly_habitat_southwest_brochure.pdf

If you would like to make a hummingbird feeder, here's a great link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/kids/activities/documents/RecycledPlasticFeeders.pdf

Here are two fun hummingbird activities:
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/teacher/documents/k5_DesertGardeners_models_hummingbird.pdf
http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/assets/pdf/education/kids%20coner/hummingbirdwordsearch.pdf