Around 100 species of hummingbirds have been documented in Venezuela, according to naturalist Alberto Blanco Davila of the Topotepuy ecological garden in Caracas, who studies their behaviour and accommodates them with water troughs. On average, he uses about three kilos of sugar per day, which he mixes with water. One kilo produces five litres of nectar and during the migration months, which run from May to July, he doubles the quantity. Tomas Fernandez, a chef who receives around 20 birds a day of four species on his balcony, describes Caracas as "a privileged city" for the variety of birds and especially the hummingbirds. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES