How to Attract Hummingbirds to Yer Neck o' the Woods.

Most everyone likes to look at and attract colorful hummingbirds. They are really neat and fascinating creatures that like to frequent the yard every now and again.

Whether it's their colorful bodies, ability to pollinate or their vicious wing speeds of 55 times per second feeding and 200 times per second when maneuvering, everyone has something they like about these little nectarivorous creatures.

These little guys provide all kinds of vital pollination activity to thousands of different plant species which is vital to the proliferation of plant life. People from the Midwest enjoy these critters, some 300 different species weighing less than 20 grams, from mid-spring to late fall.

If you are interested in attracting hummingbirds, there are some key approaches that must be considered if we want to be successful in our desire.

Have Several Sources of Nutrition. Hummingbirds are attracted to items of are attracted to items of bright colors. It is good to have various plant life in your yard that fits that description.

For instance, crabapple trees have some really neat colors of flowers that bud on them.

Another suggestion might be tulips or JayDay Lilies that yield a bright colored blossom and, of course, shrubs attract hummingbirds also. Hummingbirds mostly thrive and feed mostly on plant nectar, but they eat insects too.

Doing Our Part for Preservation of Wildlife!

As we have seen in part, with the aide of man the peregrine falcon almost became extinct and with the aide of man the peregrine falcon has made a tremendous comeback.

Let us all be aware and continue to be part of the solution in taking part in the preservation of this "Teflon" survivor. Watch them soar, watch them hunt, watch them perch in their natural habitats.

The history of this falcon is one you can share with your children and grandchildren for ages to come.

The Peregrine Falcon Egg

If you ever wondered what a Peregrine Falcon Egg looks like, well look no farther!

No, this was not an Easter Egg pulled out of the basket, although its cool color makes it look like it is.

These eggs are durable, colorful and sturdy. According to some studies, Peregrine falcons usually lay three or four eggs per year.

This beautiful egg, will hatch one of natures greatest birds of prey: The Peregrine Falcon.

For More Information on the Peregrine falcon, check this out:

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Peregrine-Falcon---The-Teflon-Bird-of-Prey&id=2314980

Enjoy!!!

Peregrine Falcons: Teflon to being Endangered!

These Peregrine Falcons are very intelligent and trainable also. This has always been one of the most prized birds amongst men.

People have used and trained these birds for hunting, as well as message carriers. In 1940, the Federal Government issued an order to cull these Peregrine Falcons bringing about the death of 600 birds.

One reason may have been because in the second World War, the armed forces used over 200,000 homing pigeons as message carriers which were also on the menu of these falcons. This was part of the reason for the decline in these fabulous birds.

Populations began a rapid decline from 1950 - the 1970's because of DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichlorethane) poisoning. This poisoning effected The Peregrine Falcon eggs, causing thinning and making them susceptible to breakage during incubation. Not to mention other birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Great-horned owl would occasionally kill peregrine falcon chicks.

At this point, they made the Endangered Species list and by 1970 extensive efforts were made to reestablish the birds population. Man driven efforts to breed the Peregrine in captivity began to make a difference to this almost "down for the count" bird.

This is why we consider them the "Teflon" bird of prey. They have made an awesome come back. By 1999, the peregrine falcon finally made it off the Endangered Species list.

The Peregrine Falcon - The Teflon Bird of Prey

"Look up! It's a bird.....It's a plane......It's The Peregrine Falcon!" Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Superman was a fictitious character, as was Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon, and although very popular and very entertaining, was no match for a real, super bird called the Peregrine Falcon.

This creature is one of the most powerful and fast-flying bird there is. The Peregrine Falcon probably has one of the longest migrations of any bird in North America.

Covering as much as 15,500 miles in one year over two different continents, spanning North and South America, hence the meaning of the falcon's name, "wanderer" or the scientific name of "falco pereginus."

This is an incredible flier! You will find that these falcons are averaging 25-34 miles per hour in traveling flight and as fast as 69 miles per hour in direct pursuit of prey with a hunting stoop from heights of over .62 miles!

I don't even know if a Geo Spectrum could cruise at that speed.

After reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour, they will drop toward their prey and kill it by biting into the neck of a passing songbird, duck and occasionally bats. OUCH!!!

These falcons are so acrobatic, they can even catch their prey in mid-air. What a feat!!!
The Peregrine Falcon's habitat is comprised of every continent in the world save Antarctica and on many oceanic islands making them one of the most widely distributed species in the world.

What proof is there that shows the durability of this bird? It has been proven that the falcon can survive in a wide range of areas of habitat to include: urban cities, deserts, the tundra and the tropics.

They remind me of people who live in the state of Maine and then travel to Florida in the winter because the Peregrine Falcon will migrate super long distances from where they reside in the winter, to their summer nesting areas on the globe. Who knows?

They may have even bought into "Time Shares."

THE BIRD OF THE WEEK: THE HOODED WARBLER

What an interesting and beautiful little fellow in North America!

A striking small bird of eastern hardwood forests, the Hooded Warbler prefers forests with some shrub understory.

SOME BASIC FACTS:

Adult Description

• Small songbird.


• Underparts entirely yellow.


• Back olive green.


• Face yellow.


• Male with black hood and bib.


• Large white spots in tail.
  

Immature DescriptionImmature

• Like adult, but with less black.

The Hooded Warbler is strongly territorial on its wintering grounds. Males and females use different habitats: males in mature forest, and females in scrubbier forest and seasonally flooded areas. If a male is removed, a female in adjacent scrub will not move into the male's territory.

Eating Habits:

The main food is small insects, spiders and other small arthropods. On the wintering grounds, birds typically forage lower in the canopy on down to the ground. Males and females may forage at different heights on the breeding grounds, with breeding males usually found feeding at the highest parts of the canopy. Food is usually captured by hawking, hovering at the leaf and gleaning.

Measurements:

Both Sexes
Length
5.1 in13 cm
Weight
0.3–0.4 oz 9–12 g

Other Names

• Paruline à acpuchon (French)


• Reinita encapuchada (Spanish)

Calls

• Song, calls


• Song a loud, clear whistled "ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo."

According to the BBS, the highest densities of hooded warblers are
generally found with a more extensive shrub layer and larger areas of contin-
uous forest. The BBS shows an insignificant increase in population on
a continental basis, but a significant increase in the eastern part of this
bird’s range over the past 30 years.

You will mostly find this Hooded Warbler in Eastern North America in the Summer time, and in the Eastern South America in the Winter time.

Maybe today will be the day ther YOU see a Hooded Warbler, but now you know a little more when you spot one.

For more information on how to preserve bird wildlife, visit: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/

Happy bird trails to you!!!!!