From left, Sommer and Siena Filice, Linda Zukowski, Colleen Grzan and Nicole Filice witness the release home of a young Anna's hummingbird.
In April, Gilroy resident Linda Zukowski discovered a tiny baby Anna's hummingbird fluttering in the grass of her front lawn. Though she searched high and low, Linda wasn't able to find its nest so that she could return it safely to its mother. She brought it to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill for expert TLC.
The fledgling was struggling to stay alive, its eyes were closed and it could barely open its beak for feeding. It didn't seem possible that the baby could survive. But miracles can come in tiny packages. After being warmed up and fed special protein nectar for a few hours, the baby suddenly revived and began buzzing around in its basket. Within a few days, it was flying and eating "on the wing."
One week later, the little bird was transferred to an outside enclosure abundant with blooming nectar-rich flowers and hummer feeders. For another week before the bird was released, it acclimated to outdoor weather and could be seen hovering from blossom to blossom. Zukowski was thrilled to have the healthy and vibrant hummingbird returned to her garden. The joyful occasion was shared by her three grandchildren.
This iridescent bird is the most common hummingbird in the Bay Area. Males have a scarlet head and throat, while the female's head is green with red specks at the throat. Anna's is non-migratory and is a familiar sight in our area all year round. It's the only species of hummingbird that nests in just one state - California.
While it may seem that hummingbirds derive nutrition solely from the nectars of flowers and feeders, a large part of their diet is actually protein-rich spiders and insects. Hummingbirds must eat every 10-15 minutes since they have the highest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal.
They normally beat their wings 50-70 times a second, but in rapid flight, it can be as fast as 200 times a second. They conserve their energy at night by deep sleep, called torpor, with their heart slowing and their temperature dropping.
If you want to enjoy the beauty and grace of what John James Audubon called "a glittering fragment of the rainbow" here are a few tips:
n Set up an easily-cleanable hummingbird feeder in a shady spot.
n Replace the nectar (one part sugar - don't use honey - to four parts water) twice a week.
n Plant colorful, tubular flowers such as salvia, columbine, fuchsia and winter-flowering plants, such as Kniphofia and Scottish Heath, making your garden a veritable hummingbird magnet and backyard rainbow, come rain or shine. If you're diligent and reliable, not only will your hummingbirds be gracing your garden year round, but may also raise the next generation of hummers in your trees.
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You're invited to WERC's annual barbecue and auction fundraiser on May 31 at San Martin Country Park. The Morgan Hill Rotary Club will cater superb barbecued food with all the trimmings. Beer, wine and soda are included. There will be silent and oral auctions of fabulous items including birds-of-prey handling lessons and stunning artwork; exciting door prizes; fun games and activities for children. Meet WERC's animal ambassadors, including Horus, the peregrine falcon, Clarabelle, the acorn woodpecker and Wapeka, the red-tailed hawk. Tickets must be purchased by May 25.
Visit www.werc-ca.org for more details.
Colleen Grzan WERC, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, provides the community with rehabilitation services for orphaned, injured and sick native wildlife. Through its educational programs, WERC encourages a peaceful coexistence between civilization and our native wildlife. WERC does not receive operating funds from any government agency to care for wildlife and is not allowed to charge a fee for this service. It is supported solely by donations from businesses and the public. To contact WERC, call (408) 779-9372 or visit www.werc-ca.org.
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