Gardening for birds, painted wings

摘要

Butterflies expand the scope of gardening beyond birdwatching. When I glance out the window, I enjoy the crazy quilt of bright flowers that attract wildlife to my summer backyard. Hummingbirds and butterflies are easy to lure to a flower bed that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day. Your plot can be as small as a window box or as expansive as a meadow. For the greatest variety of butterflies, offer nectar for adults as well as host plants for caterpillars. More than 700 species of butterflies inhabit North America, and 16 types of hummingbirds regularly occur in the United States. You'll find the Ruby-throated Hummingbird throughout the eastern half of North America, and Anna's, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa's, and Rufous in western regions. Southern Arizona is a particularly hot hotspot, with Broad-billed, Magnificent, and Blue-throated hummers.