Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Though they are small, they captivate people with their beauty, speed, and entertaining behaviors. Here is everything you need to know about these remarkable creatures.
What are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. With over 300 different species, they are found exclusively in the Americas. They are known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair as they feed on flower nectar. Their name comes from the audible humming sound their wings make as they rapidly flap.
Key facts about hummingbirds:
- They are the smallest birds in the world, ranging from 2 inches to 8 inches in length.
- They have the fastest metabolism of all animals and must eat up to their body weight in nectar every day.
- Their wings can beat up to 200 times per second and they can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways, and even upside down!
- Many hummingbird species are known for their beautiful, iridescent plumage that shimmers in the light.
- Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas, from Alaska to Chile.
What do hummingbirds eat?
The main food source for hummingbirds is flower nectar. They have specialized tongues and beaks that are perfectly adapted for extracting nectar. Their tongues are long, forked, and fringed which allows them to lap up nectar quickly and efficiently. Hummingbirds also have straw-like beaks that are ideal for drinking from tubular flowers.
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds get other nutrients from small insects like fruit flies, mosquitoes, spiders, and aphids. They expertly pluck insects out of the air and from spiderwebs. Sometimes they will eat pollen and tree sap as well.
Due to their high metabolism, hummingbirds must consume up to half their body weight in nectar each day. To meet this demand, they visit hundreds of flowers daily. Their favorite nectar sources are tubular red flowers like cardinal flowers, trumpet vines, and bee balms.
Unique adaptations
Hummingbirds have many specialized adaptations that allow them to hover and thrive on their high-energy diet:
- Wings: Their wings are small, stiff, and rotate at the shoulder so they can beat up to 200 times per second.
- Feathers: Their feathers are lightweight and streamlined which improves aerodynamics.
- Heart: Their heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute during flight. Their hearts are 2.5% of their total body weight – the largest ratio of any bird.
- Metabolism: Their metabolism is extremely high. At rest, their heart rate is around 250 beats per minute.
- Tongue: Their long tongue has tubes that suck up nectar.
- Behavior: They are very territorial and will aggressively defend flower patches and feeders.
These adaptations allow hummingbirds to hover in mid-air with precision as they collect nectar from flowers. No other birds have evolved the ability to hover for prolonged periods.
Migration and territory
The majority of hummingbirds in North America are migratory, making remarkable journeys each year. In the fall, they fly hundreds to thousands of miles south to Mexico and Central America where they spend the winter. Come spring, they return to their northern breeding grounds.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are one of the most common backyard hummingbirds in eastern North America. Each fall, they migrate across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 mile non-stop flight over open water which takes 18-22 hours.
Some hummingbird species are territorial and aggressively defend areas around food sources. Males will perform elaborate aerial displays, dives, and chases to drive intruders away. They may also vocalize with squeaks, chirps, and buzzing sounds.
Reproduction and lifespan
Hummingbirds exhibit some fascinating breeding behaviors:
- They are polygamous – males mate with multiple females each season.
- Females do all the nest building using soft plant down held together by spiderwebs.
- Their nests are only 2 inches wide – some are built on branches while others rest on wires or porch rails.
- The eggs are pea-sized, white, and only lay 2 at a time.
- Incubation lasts 14-23 days and the young fledge in 3 weeks.
- The mother feeds the chicks regurgitated nectar and insects.
- Some species produce 2-3 broods per year.
In the wild, hummingbirds live 3-12 years depending on the species. The oldest known hummingbird was a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird that was banded in Colorado and recaptured 12 years later.
Role in pollination
Hummingbirds are critical pollinators for many flowering plants in the Americas. As they move from flower to flower feeding on nectar, pollen sticks to their head and beaks allowing them to transfer it to the next blossom. Some species like the Sword-billed Hummingbird of South America have evolved extra long beaks perfectly designed to pollinate a flower with an equally long tube.
Plants have also adapted to attract hummingbirds. The colors, shapes, and nectar content of flowers like cardinal flowers, trumpet vines, and bee balms appeal to hummingbird preferences. These plants rely on hummingbirds for pollination and in exchange provide abundant nectar for the birds.
Hummingbirds and certain flowering plants have developed an exquisite coevolutionary relationship over time that greatly benefits both groups.
Attracting hummingbirds
Here are some tips to attract hummingbirds to your yard:
- Get a hummingbird feeder and fill it with a 4:1 ratio of water to white granulated sugar. No food coloring is needed.
- Place red ribbons or flowers around the feeder as visual cues.
- Hang the feeder in a visible location protected from wind and rain.
- Provide flowering plants that hummingbirds are attracted to like bee balm, cardinal flower, nasturtiums, and trumpet vine.
- Avoid using pesticides as hummingbirds are highly sensitive.
- Change the sugar water every few days and clean the feeder well.
- Be patient, it may take a few weeks for hummingbirds to discover the feeder.
With proper care and habitat, you’ll be rewarded with up close views of these flying jewels all summer long!
Fun facts
Here are some fun and fascinating facts about hummingbirds:
- There are over 300 described species – the Bee Hummingbird is the smallest at just 2 inches long.
- Their wings beat in a figure 8 pattern which allows them to hover and fly in any direction.
- They have no sense of smell but excellent eyesight able to see into the ultraviolet spectrum.
- Their feet are only used for perching, not walking or hopping.
- At night they go into a hibernation-like state called torpor to conserve energy.
- They build nests even smaller than a golf ball using spider silk and lichen.
- To attract females, males perform dramatic aerial displays and dives.
- They have weak feet and legs so they can’t walk or hop – only perch and fly.
- Their eggs are the size of a coffee bean.
- Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light invisible to humans.
How to identify common species
Here is a table to help identify some common hummingbird species in North America:
| Species | Picture | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Most common in Eastern US. Males have glossy red throat, females are white underneath. | |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Common along the Pacific Coast. Males are iridescent pink, females have grey chests. | |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Breeds in the Northwest. Males have bright rufous coloring on their sides. | |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | Common in California. Males have rufous-orange throat, females have green backs. | |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Smallest in North America. Males have colorful streaks on their throat. |
Threats and conservation
Though hummingbirds are not considered globally threatened, some specific species like the Pink-headed Warbler are endangered. Threats include:
- Habitat loss from development
- Pesticide use killing insect prey
- Climate change disrupting migration and flowering cycles
- Nest predation by invasive species
Ways to help hummingbird conservation include:
- Providing backyard habitats
- Avoiding pesticide use
- Supporting wildlife corridors
- Participating in citizen science surveys
- Donating to conservation groups
Ensuring hummingbirds have sufficient stopover habitat during migration is a key conservation focus. By supporting healthy ecosystems and reducing threats, we can help preserve hummingbird populations and their critical role as pollinators.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that captivate people with their flying skills, beautiful colors, and importance as pollinators. Their incredible adaptations like blazing fast metabolisms and specialized beaks and tongues allow them to access energy-rich nectar. Providing food, habitat, and reducing pesticides can help these migratory birds thrive.
The next time you see a blur of wings buzz by, take a moment to appreciate the wonder of hummingbirds. With over 300 species, there are so many remarkable behaviors and traits to discover about these fast-flying jewels of the bird world.
