Hummingbird at Alstroemeria Lilies

Known as Peruvian Lilies, Alstroemerias are often found in grocery store flower bouquets or bunches. After the debacle with the squirrels devouring the sunflowers (click on August 5 2024 post here for the particulars), we brought home Alstroemeria Lilies. Arranged simply in a pitcher on the patio table, they’re colorful and cheery. To our delight, they also catch the discerning eye of our resident hummingbirds. I recall from having a hand in a native garden in Minnesota that hummers are drawn to red blooms.

The California Native Plant Society sums it up this way. “Why do hummingbirds have a preference for red flowers? It turns out that the competition (i.e., insects) can’t see the red flowers as well as they can other flowers. In the hummer’s experience, more nectar is available at the red flowers than at the other flowers, hence its preference for red. Hummingbirds will in fact feed on flowers of any color, but will go to red ones first where available.”

Watch here to see our recent visitor.

Based on plumage, these are called Anna’s Hummingbirds. We see them year ‘round here in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. But it is the time of year when birds in the Northern Hemisphere are on the move to their wintering grounds.  If you’re curious to know what’s migrating overhead in your neighborhood, check out Birdcast from Cornell University.

Enjoy!