Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Here are some key facts about these tiny, colorful birds:
Size
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. The bee hummingbird, found in Cuba, is the smallest at just 2 inches long and weighing less than a penny. Other hummingbird species measure between 3-5 inches. Their small size allows them to hover in midair as they feed on flower nectar.
Wings
A hummingbird’s wings are designed for precision hovering. Their wings beat between 50-200 flaps per second, allowing them to fly in any direction – up, down, backwards, and even upside down. This allows them to get nectar from flowers not accessible to other birds.
To accommodate this rapid wing movement, 25% of a hummingbird’s total muscle mass is in its chest. In comparison, flying birds like pigeons only have 15% of their muscle mass in the chest region.
Metabolism
Hummingbirds have extremely fast metabolisms. Their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute and they take 250-300 breaths per minute. This rapid metabolism requires a lot of energy in the form of nectar and insects.
To meet their energy needs, hummingbirds drink nectar equivalent to their own body weight each day. They consume 1.5-3 times their weight in nectar. Their throats expand to allow this large nectar intake.
Hovering Ability
A hummingbird’s ability to hover sets them apart from other birds. They can maintain a stable position in mid-air by rapidly beating their wings 12-80 times per second. The wings rotate in a full circle to generate both lift on the downstroke and thrust on the upstroke.
Their hovering capability allows them to drink from flowers while staying in one place. Other birds must perch while drinking nectar.
Colorful Plumage
Many hummingbird species have brightly colored, iridescent plumage. When light hits their feathers, it splits into colors like a prism. This iridescent plumage changes color depending on viewing angle.
Some common colors seen in hummingbirds include ruby red, vibrant orange, bright blue, emerald green, and shining purple. The vibrant colors likely helped attract early hummingbird pollinators.
Specialized Tongue
A hummingbird has a tongue specially adapted to collect nectar. Their tongue is long, narrow, and forked which allows it to dart deep into flowers. As the tongue moves in and out 13-17 times per second, nectar adheres to it.
Fringes on the tip of the tongue collect nectar through capillary action. When retracted, the nectar moves up the tongue to the throat by the rhythmic folding of the tongue.
Migration
Though small, many hummingbird species migrate incredibly long distances. For example, the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates across the Gulf of Mexico – a 500 mile non-stop journey across open water.
Some hummingbirds migrate thousands of miles between their summer and winter homes. This long distance flight is fueled by flower nectar and fat stores in their enlarged liver.
Torpor
Hummingbirds have the remarkable ability to enter torpor, a hibernation-like state where their metabolic rate slows. Torpor allows hummingbirds to conserve energy when food is scarce or at night.
During torpor, a hummingbird’s heart rate drops to 50-180 beats per minute and breathing slows. They can lower their body temperature up to 63℃F below normal. This torpor state allows them to survive periods of famine.
Aggressive Behavior
Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial, especially when defending flower patches and feeders. They will chase other hummingbirds, even larger birds, out of their territory. During chases, they make audible chirping and humming sounds.
Males are especially aggressive and put on aerial displays to exhibit their strength and control territory. Fights break out in areas with limited food resources.
Specialized Feet
A hummingbird’s feet are not suited for walking or perching. They have weak feet with long toes used primarily for scratching and grooming feathers.
Since they get all their food mid-hover, hummingbirds rarely need to perch. Their specialized feet are another adaptation that aids their feeding style.
Unusual Nesting
Hummingbirds build unusually small nests out of plant down, buds, and moss bound with spider silk. The tiny, cup-shaped nests measure 1-2 inches across and may be decorated with lichen for camouflage.
Nests are built on high branches, cliff ledges, or even cacti. The eggs are the size of jellybeans. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties.
Key Pollinator
Hummingbirds play a key role as pollinators for many flowering plants. As they feed on nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and throats. When visiting the next flower, this pollen rubs off resulting in cross-pollination.
Some species like the sword-billed hummingbird have evolved to aid a specific plant’s pollination. Their unusually long beaks let them access the nectar of their coevolved flowers.
High-Speed Courtship
Hummingbirds perform elaborate courtship displays while flying to attract mates. Males fly loop-de-loop, dive from great heights, and spread their tail feathers.
They also vocalize with chirps and whistles. Females watch these displays before choosing a mate. After mating, the male plays no part in nesting or raising young.
Record Hovering
In 2013, a captive Anna’s hummingbird set the record for the longest continual hover by a warm-blooded animal. It hovered in place for 8 seconds with its body stationary in an enclosed chamber.
In the wild, hummingbirds don’t hover quite this long. But their ability to hover steadily while feeding still sets them apart from all other birds.
UV Color Vision
Hummingbirds see into the near ultraviolet spectrum, allowing them to spot flowers by color patterns invisible to humans. Certain flowers have ultraviolet petal markings to guide the hummingbird to the flower’s nectar.
Seeing UV light helps hummingbirds find nectar sources and identify different flower species more easily.
Role in Folklore
The Aztecs associated hummingbirds with vigor and energy. They saw the constant motion of the hummingbird as a sign to move forward with purpose in life.
Many Native American tribes consider the hummingbird a messenger who symbolizes lightness of being, joy, and the value of enjoying life’s simple pleasures.
Oldest Fossil
In 2004, a 30-million year old hummingbird fossil was discovered in southern Germany. This fossil called Eurotrochilus inexpectatus is the oldest known fossil evidence of modern hummingbirds.
The fossil shares distinct skeletal features with today’s hummingbirds. This suggests hummingbirds have maintained steady evolutionary adaptations across millions of years.
Conclusions
Hummingbirds are truly remarkable creatures. Their specialized adaptations like rapid wing beats, extendable tongues, hover ability, and seasonal torpor allow them to thrive as nectar feeders. While only found in the Americas, their beauty has made them prominent in folklore worldwide. Hummingbirds continue to fascinate birdwatchers and nature lovers with their speed, agility, and shimmering colors.
