broad-billed hummingbird
“Hummingbirds” is more than a field book about hummingbirds. Not only does the author, Kim Long, ably presents the different species, but he also relates how these birds have integrated themselves into human lives. He writes, “In the western hemisphere, hummingbirds are a common sight and have figured prominently in the myths and legends of most native cultures. But unlike most other types of birds, no similar species exists outside of North and South America. In Europe and Asia, the concept of such a small bird, able to hover in mid-flight, was unknown until the first explorers brought back descriptions from their travels.” Kim Long lists what various Native Americans and Europeans called hummingbird in their languages. For example, the Pima of the Southwest called hummingbird, na-na-tska. Meanwhile, the Europeans had no native words for hummingbird, and had to invent one. The author explains, “In the classic European languages—including French, Italian, Germany, and Spain—no word for hummingbird existed until after the exploration of the New World began in the late 1400s.”
One-third of “Hummingbirds” details each hummingbird species. The remaining third explains hummingbird evolution, anatomy, life cycle, and the ability to interbreed with other hummingbird species. In addition, the author offers practical information for readers who want to attract hummingbirds to their backyards. Kim Long cautions people not to provide sugar water for hummingbirds. In planting a garden for hummingbirds, he suggests various flowers that hummingbirds get their nectar from. (A partial list is azalea, buckeye, columbine, jewelweed, lilac, and morning glory.) The author explains, “Once located, hummingbirds generally stick with the same sources, seeking out similar flowers for more of the same nectar.”
In reading “Hummingbirds”, the reader gains an insight to a tiny bird of beauty. Hummingbirds enthrall everyone who has seen them, including the first European explorers. After finishing this book, the reader is equipped to entice hummingbirds to their gardens as well as to identify their visitors.
An excerpt from “Broad-Billed Hummingbird”
VITAL STATISTICS (excerpt)
Purchase this book and other books by Kim Long from Amazon.com
Va. Carper
August 15, 2005