Spring, Nature, and Hummingbird Nests

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Photographer, DL Mullan
Nature / Community Interest
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Spring has arrived. The winter wind has changed into a zephyr and the birds are singing. Everyday the temperature gets warmer and warmer.

So birds are nesting, keeping their eggs warm and safe until their babies hatch. In some cases, birds make their homes within the human realm. This mother hummingbird has made her nest in my gazebo on a wire planter.

Hummingbird in the Gazebo

A few hints about your wild bird nest occupants:

• On average a hummingbird nest will only be 1 1/2 inches in diameter, about the size of a ping pong ball and will be cup shaped.
• The female hummingbird will usually lay 2 eggs in the hummingbird nest, sometimes only 1.
• The humming bird eggs will be white and less than half an inch long, about the size of a small jelly bean or pea.
• The female hummingbird will incubate the eggs usually for 16 to 18 days

A note on the red dye in the commercial hummingbird food:

There is however an increasing percentage of tumors being found in hummingbirds and lots of people are pretty much convinced the tumors are the result of the red dye used in hummingbird nectar.

In order to make your own hummingbird food either cook or dissolve in cold water 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.

Then sit back and enjoy nature.

Source: How to Enjoy Hummingbirds