A New Material that Helps Hummingbirds Nest in Your Yard

For Immediate Release – February 25, 2008

A New Material that Helps Hummingbirds Nest in Your Yard
Across America, many people anxiously await the return of Hummingbirds from their winter trips to Central and South America, and try to attract and help these marvelous birds with Hummingbird feeders.  In 2008, for the first time consumers can also help Hummingbirds build their nests with a new product called “Hummer Helper™” Nesting Material from Songbird Essentials. 
    Songbird Essentials spokesman, Mel Toellner, states “This is a unique product because a good customer, the folks at the Hummer House in Christoval, Texas, were kind enough to bring this product to our attention and recommend that we market in a manner that makes it easy for people to encourage and help Hummingbirds nest”.  The Hummer House is run by Dan and Cathy Brown, as a retreat with cabins, where folks can come and enjoy seeing hundreds of Hummingbirds.  Toellner continues “All of the photos on our packaging were taken at the Hummer House, by Linda Gardner, an area photographer”.  Toellner concludes “It took some testing, but we found the red “sandwich” holder we developed does the best job of attracting Hummingbirds to the nesting material while also allowing it to quickly dry, after a rain or heavy dew”.
    Hummingbirds use the “Hummer Helper™” Nesting Material to take the place of ever-harder to find spider webs and lichen in lining their nests.  The nest of a Hummingbird is no larger than a quarter, and will often contain just two pea-sized eggs.  The “Hummer Helper™” Nesting Material can be found at specialty “Wild Bird” stores, and other independent retailers.  Consumers can call: (ph: 800-269-4450), or Email:  sales@songbirdessentials.com to find a retailer near them.
Below Are a Few Hummer Facts:
•    Hummingbirds beat their wings about 78 times per second.  During a display dive, their wings can beat up to 200 times per second.
•    They take about 250 breaths per minute.
•    Their hearts beat about 1,260 times per minute.
•    They have 1,500 feathers.
•    They consume half their body weight (1/8 lb) in food every day.  That would be like an average kid eating about 40 to 50 pounds of food a day.
•    During migration, they must fly 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico to reach their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.  To make the trip, they must eat enough so they weigh 1 ½ times their usual weight.
•    They can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour and can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways, and even upside down briefly, but they can’t walk.
•    Average life span is 3-5 years-Maximum 12 years.
    For further information on “Hummer Helper™” Nesting Material contact:
mel@songbirdessentials.com, or call (800-269-4450).
    For further information on Hummer House contact:
www.hummerhouse.com, or call (325-255-2254).

Posted: 2009-10-20