Cathy Isom tells us why Hummingbirds need our help. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Hummingbirds are colorful, bright and beautiful creatures that come in tiny packages. Their wings can flap at 80 times per second, which is why you can hear a humming and buzzing sound when they are darting in and out of your flower beds. They can fly right, left, up, down, backward, and even upside 
down. As well as hover by flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern.
Still, as quick as they are, they are not always quick enough to escape danger. Historically hummingbirds were killed for their feathers. Habitat loss and destruction are now the hummingbird’s main threats. And like bees and other animals, if their food sources disappear, so could they. That could also hurt us because we also rely on their pollinating skills. And, they are also great insect predators by helping to naturally control aphids and hornworms, which are their protein sources. Hummingbirds also spread seeds. And, because they are territorial, they help keep away other birds that might be damaging to the garden.
Coming up on the next This Land of Ours. The little things we can do for these little creatures to keep them buzzing around our homes and gardens.
I’m Cathy Isom…