Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. Their fast wing beats, hovering abilities, and long slender bills allow them to feed on flower nectar in a way that other birds simply cannot. A hummingbird’s survival depends on finding enough flowers full of nectar each day. But just how many flowers can a hummingbird visit in a single day?
Why hummingbirds need so many flowers
Hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms. Their tiny bodies burn through calories very quickly. To maintain their high energy level, hummingbirds need to consume more than their own body weight in nectar each day. This nectar is their primary energy source. An average hummingbird needs to eat every 10-15 minutes throughout the day just to survive.
Because each flower contains only a small amount of nectar, hummingbirds must visit a lot of flowers daily to meet their nutritional requirements. It’s been estimated that a hummingbird spends between 5-8 hours feeding each day. During that time, they may visit hundreds or even over a thousand flowers.
Factors that affect number of flowers visited
Several key factors play into how many flowers a hummingbird will visit in a day:
Type of hummingbird
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds throughout North and South America. Some species are relatively large, like the 8-inch Giant Hummingbird found along the west coast. Other species are tiny, like the 2.5-inch Bee Hummingbird. Larger hummingbird species require more calories, so they may need to visit more flowers.
Time of year
Hummingbirds burn more calories during cooler weather or migration because it takes more energy to stay warm. In winter or during migration, they increase their nectar consumption up to 67% compared to summertime. This requires visiting substantially more flowers on a daily basis.
Availability of food
When flowers are abundant, it’s easier for hummingbirds to find nectar, so they may not need to visit as many individual flowers. During times when fewer flowers are available, they will need to work harder to find food, expanding their foraging territory and increasing the number of blossoms they visit.
Energy needs
A hummingbird’s energy needs go up during demanding activities like migration, chasing intruders, mating rituals, and raising chicks. To fuel these extra efforts, they increase their flower visits to take in more nectar calories.
Based on these factors, the number of flower visits by an individual hummingbird during a day can range from several hundred to over one thousand. Next let’s look at some estimates on average flower visits.
Estimates of average number of flowers visited
Here are some average numbers of flowers a hummingbird may feed from per day:
| Hummingbird | Average number of flower visits per day |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 500-1,000 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 400-600 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 300-800 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 600-1,200 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 600-1,000 |
As you can see, average flower visits range widely depending on the specific hummingbird species. The smallest hummingbirds make the fewest flower visits, while larger hummingbirds have higher nutritional needs.
Next, let’s look at how hummingbirds can reach such astonishing numbers of flower visits each day.
How hummingbirds maximize flower visits
Hummingbirds have several adaptations that allow them to minimize time spent at each flower and maximize the number of blossoms they can reach in a day:
Specialized feeding
A hummingbird’s long slender bill and tongue are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar efficiently from a variety of flower shapes.
Hovering ability
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly both forward and backward as well as hover in midair. This allows them to quickly zip to each flower and hover while feeding.
High speed
Hummingbirds are incredibly fast, flapping their wings up to 70 times per second. This speed allows them to quickly move between flowers.
Small size
Their tiny size enables hummingbirds to energetically feed on a wide variety of flowers, even fitting inside trumpet-shaped blooms.
All-day feeding
Hummingbirds start feeding early in the morning and continue visiting blossoms all day until evening. Maximizing daylight hours for feeding allows more time to visit flowers.
Because of these specialized adaptations, a hummingbird can spend just a few seconds at many flowers. This enables them to achieve an incredible number of flower visits in a day.
World record for flower visits
Based on extensive field research, here is the world record holder for most flower visits in a day:
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird makes the longest migration of any hummingbird species. They breed farther north than other hummingbirds. To fuel this extreme migration and meet higher calorie needs in colder climates, the Rufous Hummingbird has the highest flower visitation rate.
According to scientists, Rufous Hummingbirds make an astonishing 1,100 to 1,500 flower visits per day at the peak of their energy needs during migration and cold weather. This world record number allows them to consume up to 75% of their body weight in nectar daily!
Flowers preferred by hummingbirds
Hummingbirds utilize a wide variety of flower species and types, visiting both native plants and exotic ornamentals. Some of their top preferred flowers include:
- Fuchsia
- Salvia
- Petunia
- Gladiolus
- Trumpet Vine
- Cardinal Flower
- Honeysuckle
- Impatiens
- Columbine
- Bee balm
These flowers provide an abundant nectar reward and their unique shapes are perfectly suited to hummingbird feeding. Planting some of these top flowers will help attract more hummingbirds to your yard.
How to support hummingbird flower visits
Here are some tips to provide more natural flowers for hummingbirds visiting your yard:
Plant a variety of flowers
Choose a diversity of flower colors, shapes, and blooming seasons to provide nectar through spring, summer and fall.
Include native plants
Local native wildflowers have adapted alongside hummingbirds and provide the best food sources.
Avoid pesticides
To make flowers safe for hummingbirds, avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Provide a water mister
Hummingbirds also drink water to supplement their nectar diet. Misting vegetation provides extra hydration.
Set up feeders
Fill feeders with sugar water for supplemental energy between flower visits.
With plenty of natural flowers and artificial feeders, you can support hummingbirds maximizing their flower visits in your own yard.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are incredible small birds that have extremely high metabolisms and energy needs. To fulfill their nutritional requirements of nectar, they visit hundreds or even over one thousand flowers per day. Depending on the species, location, weather, and other factors, the average number of flower visits ranges from 300 to 1,500 daily.
Hummingbirds like the Rufous have special adaptations for hovering, speed, and maneuverability that allow them to feed from so many blossoms in a short period. Providing a diverse range of flowers blooming from spring through fall can help attract and support hummingbirds while they engage in this amazing daily behavior.
