The Hummingbird is the smallest member of the bird family. The navigational skill of Hummingbirds is phenomenal. They can fly forward and backward, stop in mid air, and fly sideways. During mating, the males fly in an arch or pendulum, forward and backward, to attract a female.
They can reach speeds of up to 60 miles an hour and have a heartbeat of over 1,000 times a minute. Their wing beats of up to 75 beats per second during normal flight create the humming sound.
To feed Hummingbirds, mix 1/4 cup granulated (table) sugar with 1 cup water. Boil mixture to prevent fermentation and let cool before placing in feeder. NEVER use artificial sweeteners or food coloring. A spot of red on the feeder will attract them as they have no sense of smell. During hot weather, change the nectar at least once a week. And keep the feeder clean by rinsing with hot water and scrubbing with a small brush, avoiding the use of soap. They will return to the same feeder year after year.
For more information check these other web sites:
http://www.jpatrickhouse.com/hummers/hummer.htm
http://www.gregscott.com/rwscott/rwscott.htm