National Hummingbird Day

• Of the 338 known hummingbird species, all can be found exclusively in the Americas; 16 are found in the United States; and 3 occur in Florida!
• Hummingbirds can beat their wings up to 200 times per second, creating the humming sound that gave them their name.
• Hummingbirds can suspend their bodies in midair, fly backwards, upwards, and even upside-down, much like helicopters.
• Most hummingbirds will pollinate and feed from a wide variety of flowers, but they are mostly attracted to plants that produce:

1. Large amounts of nectar with substantial sugar content to sustain their high-speed habits.
2. Red and orange flowers or bracts.
3. Flowers that are long and tubular and point downward.
4. Long stamen that deposit pollen on the hummingbird's forehead.

What Can We Do to Help Hummingbirds

• More than half of the hummingbird species live in the tropics, so purchasing shade-grown coffee is an effective way to protect hummingbird habitats.
• In Florida, hummingbirds nest spring through summer, so having lots of tubular flowering plants and hummingbird feeders is helpful!
• When shopping for a hummingbird feeder, choose one with red fixtures, multiple feeding stations, and a means to monitor nectar levels. It’s best to clean your feeder once a week with hot water.
• Petroleum jelly is an environmentally friendly way to deter pests such as ants from invading your feeder!
• Hummingbird food sources can be implemented easily by providing sugar water in hummingbird feeders and planting flowers, such as:

1. Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis)
2. Cigar Flower (Russelia equisetiformis)
3. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
4. Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)
5. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
6. Firebush (Hamelia patens)
7. Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis)
8. Firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum)
9. Horsemint (Monarda punctata)
10. Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
11. Scarlet Salvia (Salvia coccinea)
12. Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana)
13. Soap aloe (Aloe maculata)
14. Starburst Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum quadriloculare)
15. Turk’s Cap Mallow (Malvaviscus penduliflorus and Malvaviscus arboreus)
16. Swamp mallow (Hibiscus coccineus)

Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeder

Constructing your own feeder can assist hummingbirds in adapting and thriving amidst our ever-changing world. Purchasing a hummingbird feeder is relatively inexpensive, but crafting your own requires minimal cost, making it a fantastic DIY project for kids. Additionally, there's the benefit of reusing old plastic or glass instead of acquiring new items. Here are simple steps to create your own hummingbird feeder:

Materials:

•  1 straw or tube (sterilize in boiling water first)
•  1 food-safe caulk/sealant
•  1 bottle with lid (sterilize in boiling water first)
•  1 metal hanger (wire or string)
•  1 cup of hummingbird nectar

Steps:

1. Prepare the Lid: Remove the lid from the water bottle and drill a hole in its center with a ⅛-inch drill bit.
2. Insert Straw: Insert a straw or tube into the hole in the lid so that 4 inches of the inside of the lid remain.
3. Sealing the Lid: Seal both sides of the lid with a food-safe caulk/sealer and let dry. This may take up to a full day. Be careful not to add too much sealant to the inside of the cap; otherwise, you will have difficulty screwing the cap back onto the bottle.
4. Prepare Your Hangers: Straighten the metal hangers. (You can cut off the hooks at the top if you wish.) Create a small hook on one end of the hanger.
5. Attach the Hanger to the Bottle: Wrap the hanger around the center of the water bottle and twist the hook end over the rest of the hanger to tighten it.
6. Fill Bottles with Nectar: Fill bottles with hummingbird nectar (you can buy it at your local pet store or easily make your own) and tighten the caps.
7. Find a Home for Your Feeder: Use a hanger to hang the feeder in your favorite spot to let hummingbirds know dinner is ready.

Making a hummingbird feeder is a fun and rewarding project to liven up your garden and attract lovely hummingbirds to feed.

Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar

With a few easy steps, you can attract nectar-loving birds to your feeder. Help these busy foragers by offering homemade nectar, their favorite post-workout meal. By filling your feeder with this DIY delight, you'll supplement their diet and enjoy watching them feed and fly. Remember, in hot weather, keep the nectar mixture's concentration low to prevent dehydration risks.

Recipe:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• Bowl
• Spoon

Steps:

1. Mix sugar with hot water until completely dissolved.
2. Cool to room temperature.
3. Add mixture to hummingbird feeder!

Hummingbird Day Sale

All Bilantan can do to make viewing our favorite hummingbirds even better is to offer an exclusive deal.Hummingbird Day Sale！28th Aug.~3rd Sep. /$60 off HummerHi/, head on over to our store and place your order!

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