Birds and Bats

BIRDS AND BATS

BIRDS

Bird Characteristics

Vision: In general, birds have excellent vision but a poor sense of smell. It is even believed that birds are more attracted to the color red as their spectral sensitivity gravitates to longer wavelengths. 

Energy Requirements: Birds are large, move fast, and expend huge amounts of energy when flying. It is known that hummingbirds can have a heartbeat of 1200 beats per minute and wings that beat 70 times a second! 

Plant Preferences

Due to their unique characteristics, birds tend to favor flowers that : 

  • Are large, showy, and bright
  • Have abundant nectar
  • Are tubular shaped with cups or funnels
  • Have sturdy bracts, stems, or leaves which provide places for the bird to descend on whilst capturing nectar and pollen.

Hummingbirds in Your Pollinator Garden

Throughout the year, you may see a number of different hummingbird types. Georgia is home to 11 hummingbird species:               

  • Allen’s
  • Anna’s
  • Broad-billed
  • Black-chinned
  • Broad-tailed hummingbird
  • Calliope
  • Green-breasted mango
  • Green violet-ear
  • Ruby-throated
  • Rufous

According to sighting records, the ruby-throated hummingbird is by far the most frequent visitor and is the only species of hummingbird known to nest in Georgia. Please see the images to the right for a reference photo of each of the above hummingbirds. 

Rufous

Broad-Tailed

Broad-Billed

Black-Chinned

Calliope

Green-Breasted Mango

Green Violet-ear

Allen’s

Magnificent

Ruby-Throated

Anna’s

ADDITIONAL IDENTIFICATION HELP

For further help in the identification of hummingbirds in your garden, please visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources hummingbird website or visit their hummingbird information packet here. 

To report rare winter or unusual hummingbird sightings in your pollinator garden, call (478) 994-1438 or write to: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Non-game Conservation Section, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029.