Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most mesmerizing creatures. Their iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight as they flutter their wings at high speeds to hover over flowers. The tiniest hummingbird species weigh less than a penny but have huge personalities. Read on to learn more about these captivating tiny birds.
What are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are small birds that constitute the family Trochilidae. They are native to the Americas and known for their ability to hover in mid-air, fly backwards, and have the fastest wingbeat of any bird. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds. They get their name from the characteristic humming sound created by their rapidly beating wings which flap 12-80 times per second. Their rapid wingbeats allow them to fly like helicopters, changing direction instantly and having the ability to fly backwards.
How small are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are the smallest of all birds, with most species measuring only 2.5–13 cm (1–5 in) in length. The smallest extant bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird from Cuba, which is just 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long and weighs less than 2 grams. Here are some size comparisons:
- Bee Hummingbird – 5.5 cm long (size of a bumblebee)
- Calliope Hummingbird – 8 cm long (size of a grape)
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – 10.5 cm long (size of a ping pong ball)
- Giant Hummingbird – 21 cm long (size of a starling)
Despite their tiny size, hummingbirds have high energy needs and need to consume more than their weight in nectar each day. Their extremely high metabolism allows them to beat their wings up to 200 times per second!
What do hummingbirds look like?
Hummingbirds are brightly colored, often with iridescent feathers that shimmer in rainbow hues. Iridescence is caused by light refracting off tiny air bubbles trapped in the feathers. When the hummingbird moves, the colors appear to change. Males are more colorful and ornamented than females. Common colors include metallic greens, bright reds, vivid blues, oranges, purples, and yellows. The bill shape also varies but most have long, slender bills adapted for accessing nectar inside flowers.
Some distinctive hummingbird features include:
- Long, needle-like bills for drinking nectar
- Small but strong feet capable of perching on branches and wires
- Exceptionally rapid wing beats enabling hover flight
- Iridescent, often metallic-looking plumage
- Extremely high metabolism and heart rate
- Ability to fly backwards and upside down
Where do hummingbirds live?
Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas from Alaska to Chile, with the greatest diversity occurring in the tropical Andes mountains. They migrate huge distances, with some species traveling over 2,000 miles between breeding and wintering grounds. Here are the general regions where hummingbirds live:
- North America – breed across western US and Canada, migrate south to Mexico for winter
- Central America – resident species do not migrate
- Caribbean – wintering ground for North American migrants
- South America – diverse species along Andes and in tropical regions
In the USA and Canada, broad-tailed hummingbirds are common in the west while ruby-throated hummingbirds dominate the east. Costa’s hummingbird can be found along the California coast. The magnificent hummingbird species is found across the American southwest.
Unique Adaptations
Hummingbirds have many specialized adaptations that allow them to survive on their high-energy nectar diet:
- Wings: Hummingbird wings are shaped so they can beat 55-80 times per second. They can rotate 180 degrees enabling swift backward flight.
- Bills: Long, slender bills allow accessing nectar at the base of tubular flowers.
- Tongues: Their tongues are forked and tube-like to lap up nectar. They flick their tongues 13-17 times per second.
- Metabolism: Hummingbirds have an extremely high metabolic rate. Their heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute.
- Feet: Strong feet with sharp claws are adapted for perching and climbing.
- Size: Tiny size enables hovering and access to various flowers.
These special adaptations allow hummingbirds to survive on their high-energy lifestyle. Their small size enables unique hovering capabilities not possible for larger birds.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds subsist almost entirely on nectar from flowers. They have the highest metabolism of all animals relative to their size, requiring large amounts of energy. Here are some details on their nectar diet:
- Nectar provides sugars for energy with almost no fat, protein or vitamins.
- Up to 2/3 of their weight per day can be consumed as nectar.
- Prefer nectar with 25% sugar concentration.
- Favorite nectar sources are trumpet vines, salvias, honeysuckles.
- Also eat small insects for protein such as fruit flies, spiders, aphids.
To meet their nutritional needs, hummingbirds also consume tree sap, plant fibers, and insects. They have excellent color vision to select the most energy-rich nectar sources. Their diet would be deadly to most other animals but hummingbirds are uniquely adapted.
Unusual Behaviors
Hummingbirds exhibit some interesting behaviors related to their biology:
- Enter torpor at night to conserve energy. Their body temperature drops and heart rate slows.
- Highly territorial, aggressively defending nectar sources and nest sites.
- Nest building only takes 5-10 days using spiderwebs and lichens.
- Males perform elaborate courtship dances and dives to impress females.
- Some species are migratory, making a 2,000+ mile journey.
- Extremely curious, they may investigate humans or shiny objects.
These behaviors reflect the hummingbird’s high-energy needs and their responsibility to protect food sources. Their curious nature and intelligence is impressive considering their tiny brains.
Interesting Facts
Hummingbirds provide endless fascination. Here are some quick facts about these ultra-unique birds:
- There are over 300 species ranging from 2-9 inches in length
- The Bee Hummingbird weighs less than a penny
- Their wings beat 12-80 times per second
- They are the only birds that can fly backwards
- Hummingbirds drink with their unusually long tongue which flicks 13-17 times per second
- They consume up to 2 times their body weight in nectar daily
- Their heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute
- They have the largest brain relative to their body size of all birds
- Males make noise with their tail feathers during courtship dives
- They build nests the size of a half dollar glued together with spiderwebs
From their minuscule size to their dazzling colors, hummingbirds reveal nature’s innovation through specialization. These tiny birds fill a unique ecological role as pollinators across the Americas.
Common Questions
Hummingbirds generate many questions due to their unusual characteristics. Here are some common questions and answers about hummingbirds:
How long do hummingbirds live?
In the wild, most hummingbird species live 3-5 years. In captivity they may live 10-15 years. Their high metabolism leads to rapid aging.
Why do hummingbirds hover?
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can sustain hovering flight. Their specialized wings allowing them to beat 55-75 times per second enabling hovering. This allows them to drink nectar while stationary.
Do hummingbirds migrate?
Most hummingbirds of North America migrate south in winter, traveling over 2,000 miles in some cases. Their rapid metabolism requires abundant food sources in warmer climates.
Do hummingbirds sleep?
Yes, hummingbirds enter a hibernation-like state called torpor at night to conserve energy. Their metabolic rate slows and body temperature drops to conserve energy overnight.
Can hummingbirds fly backwards?
Yes! Hummingbirds are the only birds capable of sustained backward flight. Their unique wing articulation enables them to manipulate each wing independently, allowing exceptional aerial control.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are marvels of nature and a favorite among birdwatchers. Their speed, colors, and behaviors captivate people around the world. Providing vital pollination services across the Americas, these tiny birds play an outsized role in their ecosystems. With over 300 species, hummingbirds reveal nature’s capacity for astonishing diversity and specialization. Their unique adaptations allow them to inhabit ecological niches unavailable to other birds. Continued study provides more insights into the biology and behaviors of hummingbirds over time but their essential mystique endures. If you are lucky enough to observe hummingbirds nearby, take a moment to appreciate these exceptional tiny creatures.
