Humming Birds

Hummingbirds are of the Trochilidae family of which there are 319 species. They are nectar drinking birds who got their English name by the noise their wings make. In Portuguese they are called Beija-Flors (kisses flowers).

The ones we see here most are about 7 to 9 cm long. They are very easy to attract to a home by putting out feeders. They are very loyal to your feeder as long as you keep filling it.




We often see them perched in trees around Águas da Prata.




When you put out a feeder it usually takes a day or two for them to find it. This is a series of evening photos of Hummingbirds at feeders in a restaurant in southern Brasil.




They are very active and usually do not perch to eat.




Sometimes you see several at a feeder.




When all the seats are taken, some hover like little helicopters waiting for their turn.




They are a delight to watch.




This, along with many others. is a feeder inside a restaurant. You can watch the Hummingbirds while you eat.




When we have the feeders around the house in summer the Hummingbirds drain them all every day.




They often fly into my computer room and look around. Even an Urso Branco doesn't scare them away. *SMILE*




This one flew into the bathroom.




He rested on the shower wall.




The love to come around for a late evening snack just after sunset.



They head right for the nectar.




Then he backs up to swallow the nectar.




Then back for more.




Then the nextmorning they are back again.




We have several feeders but this on one the veranda was very popular.





We had many around. They waited turns to get the nectar.




They always have to keep an eye out for the cats.




They never stayed long because of the cats. They just came back over and over again.


We had a feeder at the dining room window but the cats could reach it easily so we had to move it.

We have one over the back verandah. It is safe because the dogs are there and the cats won't go near the dogs.



Photos by Urso Branco