Hummingbirds: Marvels of the Bird World

Marvel at the lives of hummingbirds with this collection of photographs and information by award-winning author and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela.

Their beauty captivates us. Their aerial acrobatics enchant us. Hummingbirds are beloved backyard visitors. They are dainty and elusive. A hummingbird sighting is a remarkable event, one worthy of remembering, cherishing, and sharing with others. Award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela believes that hummingbirds are fascinating and adorable birds. He spent more than 10 years traveling across the country to observe and photograph the hummingbird's various species, from ruby-throated to rufous. He documented every aspect of the hummingbird's life: major events such as migration and courtship, as well as everyday activities including feeding and sleeping.

The result is a striking portrayal of these amazing animals in Hummingbirds. Stan's extraordinary photographs depict the backyard birds in a new, unique fashion. His fascinating text, drawn from detailed research and personal observations, provides information about every aspect of the hummingbirds' lives. Presented with headings and short paragraphs, the coffee-table book is pleasurable to browse and easy to read.

"They are wondrous and beautiful," says Stan. "Watching them in action is almost magical."

Unmatched by any other book on the market, Hummingbirds is a must-have for bird watchers, gardeners, and nature lovers.

ISBN-13: 9781647552466

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Adventure Publications - Incorporated

Publication Date: 06-07-2022

Pages: 160

Product Dimensions: 7.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

Series: Favorite Wildlife

Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 190 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the Universityof Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 30 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

Read an Excerpt

None So Fair

North American hummingbirds are some of the most easily recognized birds, characterized by many unique features. These petite treasures are well known for their specialized, brightly colored, sparkly feathers, which refract sunlight almost like a prism. Unlike most other birds, hummers enjoy a distinctive diet of nectar liberally seasoned with minute insects. For sipping their sweet drinks, they sport a long, narrow bill that slips easily into flowers and nectar feeders.

They are very fast, agile flyers and the only birds that truly hover in flight. Many birds can remain stationary, or hover, for a few wing beats if they have a good headwind, but they cannot sustain their hover like a hummingbird. Incredibly, hummers can also fly backward! They are the only birds that can also fly straight up and down, side to side and even flip around in an aerial somersault. The key to all of this fantastic flight is their size and weight.

Table of Contents

Amazing hummingbirds 5

The hummingbird family 9

None so fair 10

A good name 13

Origins of the species 14

The world's smallest bird 17

Lifespan 21

Staying alive 22

Hummers from coast to coast 25

Habitats 29

Regional variations 33

Differences of the sexes 34

Feather lights 37

Reflective feathers 38

Adding color 42

White hummingbirds 45

Feather finery 46

Molting 49

Masters of flight 53

Extraordinary heart 54

Eye-catching sight 57

Bill bending 58

Grooved tongue 61

High-speed digestion 62

Energy in nectar 65

Flower sweets 66

Hummers and pollination 69

Hunting for insects 73

Sap taps 73

Food tasting 74

Saving energy 77

Sunbathing fun 78

Daily preening 81

Bath time 82

Call notes 86

Wing singing 89

Diving displays 93

More than bravado 94

Territory 97

Migration 98

No tree rides 101

Time to leave 102

Feeder rest stops 105

Migratory feats 106

Spring migration 111

Breeding ground arrivals 112

Where's that feeder? 115

Establishing a territory 116

Nest construction 119

Flexible nest 123

Mating encounters 124

Egg laying 127

Dainty eggs 128

Incubation duty 131

Brood patch 132

Hatching 135

Feeding the young 136

Fledgling life 139

Independence 140

Hummingbird moths 145

Attracting hummers 146

Choosing feeders 149

Nectar recipes 150

Hummer myths 152

Tiny flying jewels 154

Featured hummingbirds 156

How to attract hummingbirds to your yard 158

Native plant options for hummingbirds 159

About the author 160