The Hummingbird Totem

Finding the joy in simple things

The flash of iridescence, the hum of tiny wings moving so fast that they look like the glow of an angel, the squeal of delight as the hummers dive through the air, as well as their acrobatic flying skills, always brings a little tickle of delight to my heart.

Hummingbirds are said to represent happiness and free-spiritedness, as well as the ability to find the joy in simple things.

A flock of hummingbirds is known as a glittering, a shimmer, a bouquet, a hover, or a tune — all very fitting names for a group of these glimmery, chatty, little birds.

I keep six jumbo-sized feeders going all year round, two of them right outside of my office door, so that I can glance up from writing or editing photos to be mesmerized by these little jewels throughout the day.

Weighing no more than a nickel, some birds, such as the tiny Rufous, can travel as far as from Mexico to Canada and back again each summer and fall. They show up at my feeders absolutely ravenous and fearless. Their presence brings pandemonium to the feeding queue. Quite ferocious in nature, they terrorize the locals.

Here, in southern California, especially in mid-summer, tiny feet often cling to every one of the six ports on each feeder, and a cloud of hummingbirds hovers, waiting for their chance to zoom in and have a sip of nectar. Those little legs can’t support them for walking or hopping though, only for perching on twigs or feeders. Their entire lives are spent without touching the ground.

Because of their migratory nature, hummingbirds are said to be representative of preparing for a journey or a new undertaking. If you identify with hummingbirds as your totem animal, you may be flexible of mind and able to change courses quickly.

Their unique ability to fly backwards symbolizes being able to look back at the past, but also being dexterous enough of mind to be able to move forwards again without getting stuck.

Interestingly, hummingbirds have no sense of smell. But they are attracted to red and orange, so planting things like salvia or honeysuckle near their feeders helps to attract them. Please never use red dye in their food. It can cause throat cancer. Also, never use organic sugar, which is processed with molasses (which they cannot tolerate), when making their nectar.

To drink their sugar water or flower nectar, they move their tiny tongues in and out as fast as thirteen times a second. They can eat up to twice their body weight in a day.

This need to replenish frequently is said to be a reminder for those identifying with this spirit creature to remember to nourish themselves emotionally, physically and spiritually.

They also love water, especially moving water, and take great delight in splashing and playing in my fountains.

This little juvenile Allen’s hummingbird learned to “surf” the bubble of water spewing up from the center of my fountain this summer. He would ride it to the edge and then flutter back to the starting point over and over and over again.

They sometimes craft their nests from materials like spider’s webs, which can expand along with the growing babies. The eggs are the size of jellybeans, and the mother typically only lays two of them.

Seeing one of these little gems in your dreams symbolizes both good luck and also the concept that small things can have great power. Is there something in your life which you have overlooked — something little, perhaps, which can either be used to help you move forward in your life? Or is there something small holding you back, something you might need to let go of?

If you watch a hummingbird at twilight, the sun setting in the distance, you might be able to see the insects, which they dart after, illuminated in the “golden hour.” One of my husband’s and my favorite evening activities is to pour a glass of wine, perch up in our little wicker chairs on the balcony, and watch the frenzy at the feeders. The sun always slips behind a certain pine, sending a finger of light through the pinkening air. And, in that glow, we can see the cloud of bugs that the hummers are after. The birds will flit from the feeder to the swarm of bugs and back again so fast you can hardly keep track of where they are.

I recently bought a special feeder in which you can place fruit, which attracts fruit flies, for the hummers. However, I discovered that that compost bin serves the same purpose. I was swimming one night when I looked up and realized why so many birds seemed to linger in the branch over my compost bin.

Throughout the year, here in California, Annas, Allens, Costas and Black-Chinned hummingbirds reside in my fruit trees. Watching them, and their seeming frivolity, reminds me to be light and free, and to be fully present in the moment. They symbolize joy in the moment, and adaptability to life’s twists and turns. Personally, I feel that they inspire my creative endeavors.

And, without a doubt, they make the world a prettier place.

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of hummingbirds..

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Photos and story ©Erika Burkhalter. All rights reserved.