 Hummingbirds comprise one of the most interesting groups of birds in the world. Their high-speed antics and bright colors make them a favorite in everyone's garden. Even American Indians thought they were magic. Wyoming is home to at least three species of hummingbirds, including the rufous hummingbird, the broad-tailed hummingbird, and the calliope hummingbird. All of which can be seen flittering around feeders and nectar flowers in the summer, especially those colored red. Have you ever wondered why they are attracted to red colors? Hummingbirds have no nerve endings in their nasal passages, and thus cannot smell floral odors. However, they do see color, and thus red color serves as the primary stimulus to attract the tiny birds. Scientists have theorized that hummingbirds use red flowers because bees, their major competitor for nectar, cannot see the color red. Therefore, there is less competition for food. Weighing about one-tenth of an ounce, these birds maneuver in the air like helicopters with the ability to hover or fly forward, backward, or to their sides at any time. Wingbeats have been measured at 20 to 200 beats per second. These tiny, iridescent birds provide hours of entertainment to young and old alike. If you are interested in attracting hummingbirds to your yard, please contact your local extension office. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Brian Sebade, exploring the nature of Wyoming.