NOTE: There is no collecting, fishing, or hunting on the preserve. If you see any animal or plant on the preserve, please take
only pictures and memories. Do not disturb nesting birds. Do not go
off trail.
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HUMMINGBIRD INFORMATION
Kern County
Hummingbird Identification Guide
Hummingbird
Facts
Hummingbird
Banding Results
Feeding
Hummingbirds
KRV
Hummingbird Finding Guide
Hummingbird
Garden
BASIC INFORMATION
Beginning Bird
Identification
Bird Feeding
Instructions
CHECKLISTS
Kern River Valley Birds Checklist
Kern Valley Spring Nature Festival
Birds
Audubon Kern River Preserve
Winter Birding Guide
Audubon Kern River
Preserve Spring Bird Arrival Guide
Audubon Kern River Preserve
Summer Birding Guide
Audubon Kern River Preserve
Fall Birding Guide
MAPS & DIRECTIONS TO BIRDING HOTSPOTS
Canebrake Ecological Reserve
Birding on the Kern River Preserve and
South Fork Kern River
KRV Hummingbird Finding Guide
Visitor and Travel Information Page
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Summer Tanagers on the Kern River
Tricolored Blackbird - May 2008
RESEARCH
Bird Banding on the Kern River Preserve
and South Fork Kern River
Kern River Valley Turkey Vulture
Community Watch
CONTESTS
America's birdiest inland county 2010
Kern County
2008, America's birdiest inland county!
Kern County, America's
birdiest inland county in 2007
Kern River Valley Christmas Bird
Count History
Schedule of KRV
Christmas Bird Counts
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Hummingbirds are the smallest of all birds, measuring between 2.5-8 inches
(6-20 cm). |
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There are between 330 and 352 species of hummingbirds in the New World, most
of which are found in the tropics. There are no hummingbirds in the Eastern
Hemisphere. |
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There are 112
species of hummingbirds in all of North America, with 26 species
observed north of Mexico, 17 of these have bred in the
United States and Canada, 12 of have
been observed in California. Kern County is home to 4 breeding species and
is visited each year by 2 migrants and on occasion by 2 vagrants.
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The Ruby-throated Hummingbird
is the only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River.
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Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are so lightweight that you could mail 8 of them
for the price of a 41-cent postage stamp! |
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This tiny flyer weighs about as much as a U.S. penny (approximately .1
ounce) yet manages to complete a non-stop flight over the Gulf of Mexico
during migration – a distance of some 500+ miles! |
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The smallest hummingbird in the United States is the Calliope Hummingbird
which breeds in our local mountains. It measures a mere 3-3.2 inches
(7.5-8 cm) from bill to tail. |
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The Portuguese
name for "hummingbird" literally translated means "flower-kisser."
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Hummingbirds beat
their wings at a rate of 40-80 per second and fly
30 miles per hour. |
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Hummingbirds are the only species of birds that can truly fly backwards
and upside down. |
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The heart rate for a hummingbird is between 500 and 1260 beats per minute
during the day and drops to below 50 during the night.
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One of the most striking features of male hummingbirds is their iridescent
plumage, particularly the brightly colored head and gorget (neck area)
feathers of adults. |
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Females build nests and rear young without any help from
the males. |
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The structure of iridescent feathers amplifies certain wavelengths of light
and reflects them directly in front of the bird, so that a bright flash of
color will only be seen when the bird is observed directly facing the
observer. |
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During peak
migration in late
July and early August the Kern River Valley is visited by thousands of
migrating hummingbirds each day. |
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Volunteers with the
Friends of Audubon Kern River Preserve
fill hummingbird feeders each morning to the delight of
visitors. |
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While hummingbirds enjoy nectar from feeders and flowers, a large part of
their diet is also made up of insects. |
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The best place to see many species of hummingbirds is in Southeastern
Arizona. |
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Most hummingbirds fly south for the winter,
many hummingbird species may been seen during the
winter season. Leave at least one feeder out in the winter, and you may play
host to an Anna's Hummingbird or another species.
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Make sure winter feeding stations have NO perches...
hummingbirds can and have died of shock when they perch to feed in winter...
they are fine if they have to hover to feed. |
Sources: Hummer/Bird Study Group, “Peterson Field Guides: Hummingbirds of
North America” by Sheri L. Williamson (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001) and “The
Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior” by David Allen Sibley (Alfred Knopf,
2001)
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