Advice from a Hummingbird:

Sip the sweet moments

Let your true colors glow

Don't get your feathers ruffled over little things

Just wing it

Take yourself lightly

Keep your visits short and sweet!

I love this "piggyback" song created by teacher, Sandy Osborne!

“Migration Song” 
(To the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”)

I’ve migrated from the tropics
tzit, tzit, tzit
from Mexico and Costa Rica
tzit, tzit, tzit
Flying backwards or a hover,
looking for a tree for cover,
Flash my gorget for another,
tzit, tzit, tzit.

Building nests of plants and webs for my brood,
Flower nectar, juicy gnats my favorite food,
Goin’ to feeders for my visits, 
rapid wings are going tzit, tzit,
others come if they dare risk it, 
tzit, tzit, tzit.

Check out these downloadable activity pages for Hummingbirds: Facts and Folkore from the Americas. Teachers, librarians, and other educators may print multiple copies for distribution as long as copyright information is kept intact. Enjoy!

For more information on hummingbirds:

Hummingbird Gardens (Advice on what herbs and plants will attract hummers, with links to other hummingbird resources.)

Audubon Society (Information on attracting hummers.)

The Hummingbird Society (This non-profit organization teaches about hummers and works to preserve species.)

National Zoo (Check out the resources related to hummingbirds from our National Zoo--part of the Smithsonian.)

WGBY-TV (A public television station offers lesson plans for teachers.)

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Mask (Click on the link to go to the Texas Dept. of Parks & Wildlife for a template to make a mask.)

Hummingbird Cake (No, this is not made from hummingbirds! It's more like a carrot cake but I love the name.)

Simple Saturday (Check out this blog for instructions to make a simple hummingbird feeder.)

Mini-page on hummingbirds (The August 1999 issue of this newspaper feature focused on hummingbirds and includes information and activities for kids.)

For general information on birds, including the hummingbird, check these sources:

American Birding Association (check the Young Birders section for kid-friendly ideas)

Backyard Bird Identified (This National Geographic site lets you put in information and characteristics to identify birds in your area.)

  This Website is copyrighted by Jeanette Larson, 2011.

Updated December 5, 2011