In the enchanting world of pollinators, hummingbirds and bees emerge as vital players with distinct roles. Despite being known for their nectar sipping habits, hummingbirds don’t deliberately collect pollen like bees do. As they go about their business probing into flowers, pollen sticks to their faces and beaks, enabling them to transport it to other plants inadvertently. The constant flutter of a hummingbird’s wings produces air turbulence, scattering some pollen grains into the wind, which may land on other flowers contributing to cross-pollination. Interestingly, the design of hummingbird feathers, complete with miniature branches which act as snags for pollen grains, further assists in this process. They do have an impressive routine, visiting as many as 2000 flowers daily, trumping the average 1500 flowers visited by honeybees. However, pollinating power is not a solitary job, and the sheer size of a bee colony allows bees to pollinate a significantly larger number of flowers compared to a single hummingbird. The species of plants hummingbirds and bees favor also differs: hummingbirds choose flowers with long tubes, such as foxglove, columbine, and daylily, while bees favor those they can access easily. Nevertheless, their combined efforts benefit a tremendous variety of plants – hummingbirds alone are known to pollinate around 8000 species in the Western Hemisphere alone. Existence is not all sugary nectar for these creatures though; for hummingbirds, protein sources such as gnats, mosquitoes, spiders, and tree sap provide essential nutrients. Consciously planting particular flowers like anise hyssop, bee balm, and bleeding heart, instead of using feeders, could attract more hummingbirds, highlighting a simple yet effective step towards supporting these small yet crucial pollinators.
Importance of Hummingbirds and Bees as Pollinators
Both hummingbirds and bees play a vital role in the ecosystem, largely due to their significant contribution as pollinators. Their activities facilitate the reproduction of many plant species, making them an essential link in the cycle of life. However, these two pollinators have different methods and adaptations for carrying out their crucial jobs.
Crucial role in pollination
Hummingbirds and bees are essential agents of pollination for numerous plant species. They play a crucial role in the reproduction of plants by transferring pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, facilitating fertilization.
Difference in pollen collection
Unlike bees, which actively gather and store pollen to feed their young, hummingbirds do not collect pollen intentionally. Instead, they move pollen inadvertently. As hummingbirds plunge their long, slender bills deep into flowers to feed on nectar, pollen grains adhere to their faces and bills. When the hummingbird moves to the next flower for more nectar, some of these pollen grains are brushed off, thereby pollinating the new flower.
Effect of hummingbird wings
The frenetic beating of a hummingbird’s wings, which can exceed 80 beats per second, creates air turbulence that can also contribute to pollination. The vortex of air stirred up by their quick-beating wings may lift pollen into the air, enabling some of it to settle on nearby flowers and result in pollination.
Hummingbird feathers and pollen transportation
Additionally, the feathers of hummingbirds, especially their heads and throat areas, are effective tools for pollen transportation. These feathers have many tiny branches or “barbules” that can trap pollen grains, which then get transported to the next flower the hummingbird visits.
Comparison of visiting capacity
Bees and hummingbirds also differ in the number of flowers they can visit in a day. For instance, according to the Audubon Society, a hummingbird can visit up to 2000 flowers a day! This number slightly surpasses the capacity of a honeybee, which visits an average of 1500 flowers daily. But don’t be quick to declare the hummingbird the champion pollinator. Thanks to the large size of bee colonies, bees can collectively pollinate an immense number of flowers in total, far more than a single hummingbird can handle.
Different Flower Preferences
Hummingbirds and bees also have different flower preferences. These preferences are mostly due to the structure of their bodies and the nature of the flowers they visit, resulting in some plants being more accessible to one than the other.
Flowers preferred by hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are particularly fond of flowers with long tubular structures. Foxglove, columbine, and daylily are among their favorites. These flower types are perfect for the long bill of a hummingbird, which can reach into the depths of the flower to suck up nectar, brushing past the stamen and pistil, the male and female parts of the flowers respectively.
Flowers preferred by bees
Bees, on the other hand, have a different set of flower preferences. Usually, they are attracted to flowers that are blue, purple, and yellow. They also prefer flowers that have an open or flat shape which allows them to easily access the nectar and pollen.
Flowers inaccessible to bees
Some flowers, despite their appealing nectar, are challenging and often impossible for bees to access. These are usually the ones with long tubular structures, which are a distinct preference of hummingbirds. Therefore, these flowers rely heavily on hummingbirds for pollination.
Impact and Range of Pollination
Pollinators like hummingbirds and bees have a huge influence on plants’ reproduction and assist in maintaining biodiversity.
Number of plant species pollinated by hummingbirds
In terms of specific impact, hummingbirds are known to pollinate about 8000 species of plants. That’s a remarkable contribution when considering the crucial role that pollination plays in a plant’s life cycle.
Pollination impact in the Western Hemisphere
Within the Western Hemisphere alone, the role of hummingbirds in pollinating plants is substantial. From forests to home gardens, and even plant species of high altitudes, hummingbirds go where many other pollinators can’t, ensuring the survival of these plant species.
Total number of flowers pollinated by bees
In contrast, bees pollinate a significantly larger number of flowers, primarily due to their high population in a community. A single hive can house thousands of bees, all of which are out every day, visiting flowers and inadvertently pollinating them.
Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are beautiful creatures, and many people enjoy attracting them into their gardens. Not just for their beauty and grace, but also for their role as efficient pollinators.
Flowers for attracting hummingbirds
The best technique to attract hummingbirds is to plant their favorite flowers. Flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet creeper are a sure lure for these beautiful birds. Also, opting for red flowers seems to be a successful strategy as hummingbirds are particularly lured to this color.
Importance of planting the right flowers
Planting the right flowers is not just about attracting hummingbirds into your garden. It is also about contributing towards their survival. The nectar from these specific flowers provides hummingbirds with vital energy, which they need for their high metabolism and rapid flight.
Avoidance of feeders
While it might be tempting to use feeders to attract hummingbirds, it’s recommended to use fresh flowers instead. Feeders may contain sugar water, which, though it provides energy, doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients that a hummingbird needs from nectar.
Diet and Nutrition
Hummingbirds need more than just nectar to survive. For their diet, hummingbirds require high-energy food sources as well as proteins, minerals, and micronutrients.
Hummingbirds’ protein intake
They get their protein supply by feeding on small insects and spiders. Tiny insects such as mosquitoes and gnats, and arachnids, provide this essential dietary component.
Insects and arachnids as protein sources
Insects and arachnids not only provide hummingbirds with protein but also serve as sources of other vital nutrients. They are an integral part of the hummingbird’s diet, ensuring they get a balanced intake of nutrients.
Minerals and micronutrients from tree sap
Tree sap is another source of nutrition for hummingbirds. Especially in early spring, when nectar sources may be scarce, hummingbirds can be found visiting sap wells created by sap-sucking insects or woodpeckers. The sap helps the birds by providing necessary minerals and other micronutrients.
Flowers Known to Attract Hummingbirds
There are a variety of flowers that are known to attract hummingbirds. Planting these in your garden will not only ensure a beautiful display but also a regular visit from these enchanting birds.
Anise Hyssop
The Anise Hyssop is a favorite among hummingbirds. This flower produces nectar in abundance and blooming in mid to late summer, it provides a vital food source when many other flowers have begun to fade.
Bee Balm
Another lover of hummingbirds is the Bee Balm. Its tubular shaped flowers are perfect for a hummingbird’s long bill, enabling the bird to dig deep into the flower for its nectar while transferring pollen.
Bleeding Heart
The beautiful and aptly named Bleeding Heart is also a favorite. Its extraordinary heart-shaped flowers are not just visually stunning but are also nectar-rich, making it a desirable source of food for hummingbirds.
Other attractive flowers
Other flowers known to attract hummingbirds include the Trumpet Vine, Daylily, and Cardinal Flower. With their bright, colorful blooms and generous nectar stores, they are irresistible to hummingbirds. Planting an assortment of these flowers will ensure a garden buzzing with pollinating activity, providing a vibrant habitat for hummingbirds and a delightful spectacle for any garden lover.
