Measuring only 3 1/2 inches long, the Costa's hummingbird is a pint-sized delight in its arid habitats.
Partly residing in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in March and April, Costa's thrive in the heat, says Christopher Clark, assistant professor of biology at the University of California, Riverside. However, they wander toward the sagebrush scrub communities of coastal California to escape the most intense heat beginning in May.
Small but Vibrant
The male has a hunched appearance with a stubby tail, and is easily identified by its green back and iridescent purple on its head and around its throat. The female looks similar, but without the purple feathers.
Putting on a Show
Denne historien er fra February/March 2024-utgaven av Birds & Blooms.
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Denne historien er fra February/March 2024-utgaven av Birds & Blooms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Basics of Hydroponics
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Rooted in Resilience
These hardy perennials will thrive in most zones
Social and Supportive
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All About Owl Pellets
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Ask the Experts
Advice from our pros about houseplants, bird feeding and more
BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Making a terrarium is about as close as you can get to a Zen DIY project. Once you have gathered the proper materials and squared away your plant selections, it's as simple as layering it all together and watching your mini ecosystem thrive. Here, I'll walk you through my foolproof process and cover all the required elements for good filtration, healthy soil, strong root growth and resistance against fungus and disease.
GROW THIS. NOT THAT
Six easy-to-grow houseplants—and six that may not be the right choice for you
Winter MAGIC
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Does a porcelain berry taste like a blueberry to a gray catbird? Does a block of lard smell like frying bacon to a northern flicker? The short answer is no. While some avian species do have a well-adapted sense of taste or smell, they can't distinguish between flavors and odors the way humans can. They're not picking up every ingredient in the suet you put out, says José Ramírez-Garofalo, an ornithology researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the director of Freshkills Biological Station in Staten Island, New York.
Maple Mania - Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
