Quick Answer
Hummingbirds are classified in the family Trochilidae and are in the order Apodiformes. They are small birds with iridescent plumage and the ability to hover in mid-air. Hummingbirds have the fastest wingbeat of all birds and use their rapid wing movements to be able to fly in any direction. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds.
Scientific Classification of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds belong to the following scientific classification:
| Taxonomy | Category |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
As seen in the taxonomy table, hummingbirds belong to the kingdom Animalia as they are animals. They are vertebrates in the phylum Chordata. In the class Aves, they are considered birds.
Their order is Apodiformes. This order contains fast-flying birds including swifts and hummingbirds. The Apodiformes are named for their lack of feet (apcous) since their legs are so short and their feet are so reduced.
Finally, hummingbirds belong to the family Trochilidae. Trochilidae is a family of small birds in the order Apodiformes that occur only in the Americas. There are over 300 species of trochilids.
Main Characteristics of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have several defining features that differentiate them from other types of birds:
– Small size – They are the smallest birds in the world, with most species only 2.5–13 cm long.
– Rapid wingbeat – They can beat their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place.
– Reversed sexual size dimorphism – Females tend to be larger than males.
– Long bills – Their long, slender bills allow them to access nectar from flowers.
– Iridescent plumage – Many species have brightly colored, metallic feathers.
Unique Adaptations
Hummingbirds have evolved several remarkable anatomical and physiological adaptations:
– Rotating wrists – They can rotate their wings in a full circle, allowing for greater maneuverability.
– Backward-facing toes – Two of their toes face backwards, letting them securely perch on branches.
– Forked tail – The forked tail provides more surface area for stability in flight.
– Enlarged breast muscles – Up to 30% of their total body weight is flight muscles.
– Accelerated metabolism – At rest, hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals relative to their size.
– Extendible tongues – Their tongues extend to reach nectar deep within flowers.
These specialized adaptations allow hummingbirds to hover, fly backwards, and thrive on their high-energy nectar diet.
Geographic Range and Habitat
Hummingbirds are found exclusively in the Americas. Their range extends from Alaska to southern Chile:
| Continent | Region |
|---|---|
| North America | Alaska to Mexico |
| Central America | Mexico to Panama |
| South America | Colombia to Chile and Argentina |
| Caribbean Islands | Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola |
Hummingbirds occupy a variety of habitats across this broad geographic range:
– Forests – Tropical forests, temperate forests, pine-oak woodlands
– Grasslands – Prairies, meadows, savannas
– Mountains – Alpine zones, cloud forests, mountain slopes
– Deserts – Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts
– Gardens – Parks, backyards, flower beds
They thrive in many ecological niches from lush jungles to dry deserts. Their smallest ranges are on Caribbean islands.
Altitudinal Range
Hummingbirds can be found at elevations from sea level up to over 5,000 meters:
| Altitude | Example Locations |
|---|---|
| Lowlands | Coastal Brazil, Yucatan Peninsula |
| Foothills | Southeastern Arizona, Costa Rica |
| Mid-level mountains | Ecuadorian Andes, Sierra Madre Occidental |
| High mountains | Central Andes, Rocky Mountains |
A few species like the Andean Hillstar live at extreme elevations above 4,500 meters in the Andes mountains. Most hummingbirds occur at lower elevations.
Feeding
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals relative to their size. To survive, they must eat half their weight in nectar each day. Their diet consists mainly of nectar and small insects:
Nectar
– Main food source
– Obtained from colorful tubular flowers
– Favorite flowers include salvias, lilies, fuchsias
– Up to 2,000 flowers visits per day
– Grooved tongue tip laps up nectar
Insects
– Eat small insects for protein
– Prey includes mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders
– Aerobatic maneuvers catch insects mid-air
– Also glean insects from leaves and branches
This diet provides the pure carbohydrate energy from nectar and essential proteins from insects. Some hummingbird species are trapliners, visiting regular nectar sources, while others are territorially, feeding from favorite flower patches.
Reproduction
Hummingbirds have an unusual breeding ecology compared to other birds:
Courtship
– Elaborate aerial courtship displays
– Dives, loops, shuttle flights to impress females
– Colorful gorgets and tail streamers attract mates
Nesting
– Tiny cup nests built by females
– Woven from plant down, spider webs, lichen
– Placed on branches, cacti, cliff ledges
Eggs
– Clutch size of only 2 pea-sized eggs
– White eggs blend into nest background
– Incubated for 14-23 days
Parental Care
– Only female incubates eggs
– Both parents feed chicks with regurgitated nectar
– Chicks fledge in 18-30 days
Brood Parasitism
– Some species lay eggs in other hummingbirds’ nests
– Host birds raise parasitic chicks as their own
Hummingbirds have one of the highest reproductive costs of all birds relative to their size. From courtship to fledging chicks, their breeding requires immense energy expenditures.
Migration
Many hummingbird species undergo annual migrations spanning hundreds or thousands of miles:
| Species | Migration Route | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Canada to Central America | 2,000 miles |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Alaska to Mexico | 3,000 miles |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | California to Mexico | 1,500 miles |
Reasons for migration include:
– Seasonal flowering patterns – Follow nectar availability
– Climate – Move to warmer areas in winter
– Breeding – Move to temperate zones to nest and breed
– Elevation – Move up and down mountain slopes
Their tiny size and high metabolism make migration a tremendous feat of endurance. Some hummingbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop, flying up to 23 hours at a time. Migrating hummingbirds depend on nectar corridors of flowering plants along their routes to fuel their journeys.
Navigation
Hummingbirds navigate during migration using:
– Celestial cues – Use the sun and stars for guidance
– Visual landmarks – Remember and follow landscape features
– Internal compass – Sense magnetic fields for orientation
– Fat stores – Build fat reserves to fuel migration
– Optimal flight paths – Select efficient routes flying with tailwinds
Their impressive navigational skills bring hummingbirds thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds annually.
Unique Hovering Flight
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards and hover mid-air. They achieve this through unique wing adaptations:
Wing Anatomy
– Short, rounded wings – Provide aerodynamic lift
– Long handwing feathers – Give power on both upstroke and downstroke
– Strengthened shoulder joints – Allow wings to rotate in full circles
Hovering Mechanics
– Wings move in figure 8 pattern – Generate lift during both phases of wingbeat
– Wings turn over at wrist joints – Backward flip provides thrust on upstroke
– Wings beat 55 to 80 times per second – Essential for hovering
Aerodynamics of Hovering
– Wings generate symmetrical lift – No forward propulsion needed
– Precise adjustments maintain position – Counters effects of wind and inertia
– Extremely energy demanding – Consumes enormous amounts of oxygen
This unique style of flight allows hummingbirds to stay suspended motionless while feeding from flowers. No other birds exhibit this ability to hover for prolonged periods.
Species Diversity
There are over 300 described species of hummingbirds divided into several genera:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Amazilia | 30 species | Amazilia Hummingbird |
| Archilochus | 3 species | Black-chinned Hummingbird |
| Atthis | 2 species | Bumblebee Hummingbird |
| Calypte | 4 species | Anna’s Hummingbird |
| Eugenes | 5 species | Magnificent Hummingbird |
There are nine major hummingbird clades based on DNA analysis:
– Brilliant
– Coquette
– Emerald
– Hermit
– Mangoes
– Mountain Gems
– Patagona
– Topazes
– Bees
The Bee hummingbird Mellisuga helenae is the smallest bird in the world, measuring only 5-6 cm. The Giant hummingbird Patagona gigas is the largest, reaching over 20 cm. Hummingbird species display incredible variation in color, size, habitat, and behavior across the Americas.
New Species
Several new hummingbird species have been described in recent decades as exploration reveals greater diversity:
– Blue-bearded Helmetcrest, 1996
– Green-bearded Helmetcrest, 2004
– Alfredo’s Flameback, 2006
– Somuncura Hummingbird, 2012
– Cordillera Azul Hummingbird, 2019
There are likely still more unknown species hidden in remote Neotropical mountains and forests waiting to be discovered. Molecular studies continue to uncover cryptic hummingbird lineages that may represent new species.
Threats and Conservation
Despite their widespread abundance, hummingbirds face a number of conservation threats:
Habitat loss
– Deforestation eliminates forest breeding habitat
– Development destroys natural nectar sources
– Farming and grazing reduce available flowers
Climate change
– Alters timing of flowering and insect emergence
– Creates mismatch with migration arrival times
– Uphill distribution shifts may be constrained
Pesticides and pollution
– Pesticides reduce insect prey populations
– Chemical contamination impacts reproductive health
Exotic predators
– Domestic cats kill large numbers of hummingbirds
– Introduced species like rats prey on eggs and chicks
Declining breeding habitat
– Severe declines in some breeding regions
– Highly fragmented remaining habitat
To protect hummingbird populations, conservation priorities include preserving intact breeding habitat, maintaining flowering corridors, banning destructive pesticides, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing hummingbird-friendly practices in yards and gardens. Citizen science initiatives that monitor hummingbird numbers and distribution are also crucial for detecting population declines. With appropriate actions, we can ensure these captivating birds continue flourishing.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are classified in the family Trochilidae within the avian order Apodiformes. They are the smallest birds in the world with specialized adaptations like rapid wingbeats enabling hovering flight. Hummingbirds have an extremely high metabolism reliant on nectar and inhabit diverse ecosystems across the Americas. Their unique migratory habits, reproduction, and flight mechanics reflect a highly specialized nectarivorous lifestyle. Ongoing discoveries continue to reveal new hummingbird species. While hummingbirds face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and other factors, targeted conservation initiatives can help protect their populations into the future. Hummingbirds occupy a distinct evolutionary niche in the Americas and warrant conservation to preserve their ecological roles as essential pollinators and drivers of coevolutionary diversification in plants. Their diminutive size belies an incredible story of aerial mastery and survival.
