The Triangle
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 The Magic of Hummingbirds From mid-July through the end of August, the hummingbird population is at its largest and most active in the Triangle. This is the time when females have raised their young and when males from farther north have begun their migration down the East Coast. Put up a feeder filled with sugar water, or simply wear a red shirt in your yard, and chances are that you will be "buzzed." Only one species of hummingbird is found on the East Coast: the ruby-throat. Their nest is the size of a quarter and the eggs they lay are the size of green peas. They beat their wings up to 200 times a second and fly at 60 mph. They can hover, fly backward and even upside down for short periods of time. They drink their weight in nectar every day, although half their diet is gnats, aphids and other tiny insects. Ruby-throats are intensely inquisitive and thus easily attracted to feeders, where males display aggressive territoriality toward rival hummers, other birds, insects, and even humans. Most watchers find "Hummer Warz" endlessly entertaining, although the chases are serious business to the hungry birds. Some plants that attract hummingbirds are azaleas, impatiens, four-o-clocks, morning glories, petunias and salvia By mid-October, the last ruby-throats will be on the way to Mexico and Central America, a trek of 1000 to 3000 miles that takes them above treetops, over the Gulf of Mexico and at times, through the curl of a wave. There, the wind is weaker, which is important for something the size of a thumb and the weight of three paper clips. For some fascinating details about hummers, published by a North Carolinian who lives just south of Charlotte, NC, visit Operation Ruby-Throat. Another great site, Hummingbirds.net has trivia questions, feeder information, and a hummer cam located in Costa Rica.
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