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Hard Working Hummingbirds on The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau
Written By: Brian O’Shea | Issue: 2020/11 - November
Hard working Hummingbirds do what they can to pollinate the Plateau.
Hummingbirds are not only beautiful to look at, but also serve an important role in the pollination of plants on the Plateau.
“They are critical pollinators for wildflowers,” said Highlands Plateau Audubon Society Vice President Brent Martin. “They drink up to three times their body weight in nectar per day and are moving pollen consistently between plants as they feed.”
Hummingbirds are common on the Plateau, but there is only one species that lives here, the Ruby
Throated Hummingbird.
They are found anywhere there are nectar producing flowers, both domestic and native. Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar, but Martin said they will occasionally eat small insects and spiders.
Hummingbirds make their appearance in mid-spring and are abundant until early October.
Hikers may get the feeling a prehistoric wasp has just buzzed passed their heads when it’s often a hummingbird flapping about gathering nectar. The humming sound comes from beating their wings, which is how they landed the name hummingbird.
“Because they are so small, they have to move their wings incredibly fast to stay aloft,” said Martin. “Their feeding pattern also requires rapid movement along with the need to hover while feeding. They are amazingly agile and can seemingly perform acrobatics as they dart up, down, and sideways. They can beat their wings 20 to 30 times per second!”
Hummingbirds may be small and gorgeous, but they do have a temper.
“They do seem violent, and are,” said Martin. “They often fight at our hummingbird feeders and can be very aggressive towards one another.”
While hummingbirds may fight amongst themselves, they also have to keep their eyes peeled for larger birds that may be looking for a snack.
“Crows and jays will eat hummingbird eggs and fledgling, as well as the adults when they can catch them,” said Martin. “Squirrels, snakes, chipmunks, will all prey on them if they find the opportunity.”
