Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota
United States Department of Agriculture Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota A Land Manager’s Guide Forest Service National Headquarters Introduction Food Hummingbirds play an important role in the food web, Hummingbirds feed by day on nectar pollinating a variety of owering plants, some of which from owers, including annuals, perenni- are speci cally adapted to pollination by hummingbirds. als, trees, shrubs, and vines. Native nectar Some hummingbirds are at risk, like other pollinators, plants are listed in the table near the end due to habitat loss, changes in the distribution and of this guide. ey feed while hovering or, abundance of nectar plants (which are a ected by climate if possible, while perched. ey also eat change), the spread of invasive plants, and pesticide use. Rufous Hummingbird nest insects, such as fruit- ies and gnats, and is guide is intended to help you provide and improve Courtesy of Martin Hutten will consume tree sap, when it is available. habitat for hummingbirds, as well as other pollinators, ey obtain tree sap from sap wells drilled in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. While hummingbirds, like all birds, have the in trees by sapsuckers and other hole-drill- Western columbine—Aquilegia formosa Courtesy of Gary A. Monroe basic habitat needs of food, water, shelter, and space, this guide is focused on providing ing birds. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database food—the plants that provide nectar for hummingbirds. Because climate, geology, and vegetation vary widely in di erent areas, speci c recommendations are presented for each ecoregion in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
[Show full text]