Hummingbirds are like small feathered pals that are simple to attract. It’s lovely and fun to have these little critters around. That is why many people use hummingbird feeders to lure these little birds to their gardens. Let’s learn more about these little critters.
What is a hummingbird?
They are part of the avian family and are considered Swifts’ closest cousins. They are tiny enough, weighing just 2 to 20 grams, with thin bills and saber-like wings. Males have brightly colored gorgets with highly reflective feathers on their throats and upper chests. The hummingbirds’ glossy feathers surrounding their heads seem black until they move their heads in the sunlight.
Hummingbird Superlatives
Smallest birds
They are the world’s tiniest birds. Their smallest species is the bee hummingbird, which weighs only 1.95 g. The calliope hummingbird is the fourth smallest, weighing about 2.5 grams. Calliope hummingbirds live in the highlands of western North America.
Tiniest eggs
They have the tiniest eggs compared to their size. However, you might be surprised at how little their eggs are. Their eggs are so small that you can fit two in a walnut shell. They create nests from of spider webs and deposit two eggs.
Avian Helicopter
Hummingbirds’ tiny stature allows them to fly with amazing agility. Hummingbirds are the only vertebrates capable of hovering. They can also fly backward and upside down.
Fast heartbeat
They are also noted for their rapid heartbeat. A ruby-throated hummingbird’s heart may beat 225 to 1200 times per minute while flying. During direct flight, its wing speed is around 70 times per second, but it may reach 200 times per second while descending.
Torpor State
You may have heard of the frogs’ hibernating stage. Hummingbirds are one group of birds that are known to go into torpor. Hummingbirds go into a profound sleep stage in which their metabolic rate is reduced to a bare minimum and their body temperature is extremely low.
Hibernation is the term used to describe when they remain in this state for an extended period. Hummingbirds generally go into hibernation depending on the temperature and food available.
No sense of smell
They have no sense of smell. They can, however, discover hummingbird feeders and nectar blooms because of their excellent color vision. Most hummingbird species like orange and red hues. Please do not use fake nectar colors, since these might be toxic to hummingbirds. Instead, grow natural red or orange flowers.
Tongue Speed
Hummingbirds’ tongue speed allows them to eat enough nectar from the feeder to meet their quick metabolic demands. They can move their tongue 13 times per second to consume honey from the feeder ports. They require twice as much honey as their body weight each day.
350 species
North and South America are home to 350 different species of hummingbirds. Rufous hummingbirds, Anna’s hummingbirds, calliope hummingbirds, broad-tailed hummingbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and black-chinned hummingbirds are some of the most abundant hummingbird species in America.
Where do hummers live?
Almost 350 hummingbird species may be found in the United States, ranging from Tierra del Fuego to Southern Alaska. They can live in sea-level deserts as well as forests at heights of 16,000 feet in South America’s Andes. The majority of hummingbird species dwell in the tropics, with 17 species found regularly in the United States.
How can you assist hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds spend most of their lives in search of food. Humans have taken over the majority of hummingbird habitats, and nectar blossoms are being hunted down.
Fortunately, you can aid hummingbirds by planting nectar or hanging a feeder. Some of the greatest hummingbird plants include bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet creeper, coral honeysuckle, and columbine.
