Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, yet they have extremely high metabolisms and burn a tremendous number of calories per day given their tiny size. A hummingbird’s rapid heartbeat, fast breathing, and constant motion contribute to their high calorie burn each day.
Quick Answer
On average, a hummingbird burns between 3,400 and 12,000 calories per day depending on its size and activity level.
How Many Calories Does a Hummingbird Burn Per Day?
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals relative to their size. Their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute and they take 250 breaths per minute even at rest. This rapid respiration allows them to meet their high oxygen demands. They must consume at least their own body weight in nectar each day just to survive.
The average hummingbird weighs between 2-20 grams. The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the smallest at just 2-3 grams. The Giant Hummingbird is one of the largest at 20 grams. Larger hummingbirds burn more total calories per day than smaller ones.
Some estimates suggest hummingbirds need to consume around 1.5-2 times their body weight in sugar from nectar each day. This enables them to power their rapid heart rate, breathing, and nearly constant motion.
Based on these estimates, here are the approximate calories burned per day by different sizes of hummingbirds:
- Rufous Hummingbird (2 grams) – 3,400 calories per day
- Calliope Hummingbird (3 grams) – 5,100 calories per day
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3-4 grams) – 5,100-6,800 calories per day
- Black-chinned Hummingbird (3-4 grams) – 5,100-6,800 calories per day
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird (4 grams) – 6,800 calories per day
- Allen’s Hummingbird (4-5 grams) – 6,800-8,500 calories per day
- Anna’s Hummingbird (4-6 grams) – 6,800-10,200 calories per day
- Costa’s Hummingbird (4-6 grams) – 6,800-10,200 calories per day
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird (4-7 grams) – 6,800-11,900 calories per day
- Magnificent Hummingbird (6-9 grams) – 10,200-15,300 calories per day
- Blue-throated Hummingbird (8 grams) – 13,600 calories per day
- Giant Hummingbird (20 grams) – 34,000 calories per day
As you can see, a 2 gram hummingbird may burn around 3,400 calories per day, while a 20 gram hummingbird may burn up to 34,000 calories per day. The smallest hummers burn only slightly more than humans, while the largest burn over 10 times as many calories!
Factors That Affect Hummingbird Calorie Burn
Several factors influence how many calories a hummingbird burns each day:
Size
In general, the bigger the hummingbird, the more calories it will burn per day. Larger birds have higher calorie needs to power larger flight muscles and body functions.
Ambient Temperature
Cooler temperatures force hummingbirds to burn more calories to maintain their high body temperature. Exposure to lower temperatures increases their metabolism.
Activity Level
Hummingbirds burn more calories on days when they are more active and flying greater distances. More time spent hovering, migrating, courting, and sustaining higher heart and breathing rates leads to higher calorie expenditure.
Molting
Molting and replacement of old feathers increases calorie needs for a period of time. Growing new feathers demands extra energy.
Nesting & Breeding
Females burn extra calories while building nests and raising young. Courting, mating, nesting, and feeding hatchlings is energetically expensive.
How Does Hummingbird Calorie Burn Compare to Other Birds?
Hummingbirds have by far the highest metabolism of any birds based on their body size. Here’s how their estimated daily calorie burn compares to other bird species:
| Bird | Weight (g) | Calories Burned Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Hummingbird | 2-20 | 3,400-34,000 |
| Small songbirds | 10-60 | 200-500 |
| Pigeons | 250-350 | 130-160 |
| Chickens | 1,500-4,500 | 75-110 |
| Ostrich | 100,000-145,000 | 1,700 |
Tiny hummingbirds that may weigh only 2-5% as much as another bird species burn up to 100 times more calories per day. This demonstrates their incredible metabolic rate.
How Do Hummingbirds Get Enough Calories Each Day?
In order to meet their extreme calorie needs, hummingbirds have evolved several key adaptations and behaviors:
Almost Constant Feeding
Hummingbirds feed every 10-15 minutes throughout the day on nectar and insects to maintain energy levels. They visit hundreds or even thousands of flowers daily to consume enough calories.
High Efficiency Feeding
Their specialized long bills and tongues allow them to lick up nectar quickly and efficiently from flowers.
Preference for High Calorie Nectar
Hummingbirds seek out flowers with the highest sugar content nectar such as cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and others.
Aggressive Defense of Feeding Territories
Hummingbirds actively chase competitors from their preferred high calorie food sources to maximize calorie intake.
Seeking Insect Prey
Hummers supplement their diet with tiny insects which provide additional calories as well as essential protein.
Going into Torpor
To conserve energy such as overnight or when food is scarce, they can enter a torpid state similar to hibernation to reduce their metabolism by up to 95%.
Migrating to Warmer Climates
Some species migrate north and south each year to spend winters in warmer climates where they burn fewer calories.
Using these specialized adaptations, hummingbirds are able to meet their extreme daily calorie needs of up to 34,000 calories per day – more than 10 times what an average human burns!
Key Takeaways on Hummingbird Calorie Burn
- Tiny hummingbirds have the highest metabolism for their size of any animal.
- The smallest hummingbirds may burn around 3,400 calories per day while the largest burn up to 34,000.
- Calorie burn is affected by size, temperature, activity level, molting, and breeding.
- Hummingbirds eat very frequently and have specialized adaptations to get enough calories.
- They burn up to 100 times more calories per day than other birds of the same weight.
Conclusion
The incredible metabolism and energy demands of hummingbirds enable them to power sustained hovering flight, undergo long migrations, and endure cold overnight temperatures. Even at rest they have heart and breathing rates well above those of humans and burn calories rapidly. With adaptations like almost constant feeding, entering torpor, defending feeding territories aggressively, and seeking out the most energy dense nectar, hummingbirds are able to consume up to 12 times their body weight in sugars each day. Tiny as they are, hummingbirds lead remarkably energetic lives!
