Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. They are the smallest of all birds, yet they are some of the toughest, fastest, and most energetic. Hummingbirds have unique adaptions that allow them to hover in midair, lick nectar from flowers, and migrate incredibly long distances every year. Here we’ll explore some key information about hummingbirds including their characteristics, behaviors, habitats, diet, lifespan, and more.
What are the main characteristics of hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are tiny, vibrantly colored birds with some unique physical characteristics that enable their hovering flight and nectar-eating lifestyle. Here are some of the main characteristics of hummingbirds:
- They are very small, ranging from 2.5 to 8.5 inches in length.
- They have compact, slender bodies with long, pointed wings.
- They have very short legs and small feet.
- Their long, thin bill is adapted for reaching into flowers.
- They have rapid wing beats and can flap their wings up to 80 times per second.
- Their wings rotate in a full circle, enabling hovering.
- They have excellent eyesight for finding flowers and food.
- Their tongues can dart in and out up to 13 times per second when feeding.
- They are brightly colored, with iridescent throat patches (gorgets).
The small size, rapid wing beats, special wing motion, sharp bill, extendable tongue and keen vision all contribute to the hummingbird’s ability to hover and thrive on nectar from flowers. The bright colors distinguish the males from females and different species from each other.
How do hummingbirds hover and fly backwards?
Hummingbirds are incredible flyers. They can hover precisely in one place by rapidly flapping their wings in a figure-eight pattern. This enables them to stay suspended and feed while hovering over a flower. They can also fly backwards by changing the angle and direction of their wing beats. Slow-motion video reveals that hummingbirds rotate their wings in a full circular motion rather than just flapping up and down like other birds. This unique wing action generates the lift and power needed for their specialized flying abilities.
Where do hummingbirds live?
Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas. They occur naturally in a variety of habitats from Alaska to Chile, with the greatest diversity of species found in the tropical regions of Central and South America. Here are some details on hummingbird habitats:
- They occur in a wide range of habitats including forests, woodlands, thickets, meadows, deserts, mountains, and even urban gardens and parks.
- In the USA and Canada they primarily live in temperate climates during summer, migrating to subtropical and tropical areas in winter.
- The majority of hummingbird species are tropical. Over 140 species can be found in Central and South America.
- Some common habitats include forest edges, meadows with flowering plants, pine-oak woodlands, and areas by streams or ponds.
- They are attracted to gardens and yards with nectar flowers and feeders.
So while hummingbirds will occupy diverse habitats, the presence of nectar-producing flowers is key. They prefer areas with ample food sources and flowering plants.
Where do hummingbirds migrate?
Most hummingbird species in North America migrate impressive distances each fall to warmer climates and back again in spring. Here are some key details on hummingbird migration:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate annually between Canada/USA and Mexico/Central America, some going as far as Panama.
- Rufous hummingbirds migrate between Alaska/Canada and Mexico.
- Allen’s and Costa’s hummingbirds migrate within California and the Pacific Coast.
- Tropical species in Central/South America do not migrate significant distances.
- Hummingbirds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 mile non-stop flight over open water for a bird weighing less than a nickel.
- They prefer to migrate along coasts and geographical barriers to avoid crossing large bodies of water.
So migration allows hummingbirds to take advantage of seasonal flowering while avoiding extremely cold winters. Their migration is one of the most incredible migration journeys in the animal kingdom given their tiny size.
What plants and flowers do hummingbirds like?
Hummingbirds have specialized diets consisting of nectar, tree sap, and small insects. Their favorite flowers produce abundant sweet nectar that provides quick energy. Here are some of the top plants and flowers that attract hummingbirds:
| Flowers | Examples |
|---|---|
| Native Wildflowers | Columbine, Trumpet Vine, Bee Balm, Cardinal Flower |
| Bedding Plants | Petunias, Zinnias, Fuchsias, Impatiens |
| Trees and Shrubs | Mimosa, Weigela, Abelia, Red Buckeye |
| Vines | Clematis, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory |
Hummingbirds are especially attracted to tubular flowers with bright red colors, but they will visit orange, pink, purple, blue, and white flowers as well. Providing a continuous bloom of nectar-rich flowers from spring through fall will attract and support hummingbirds in your area.
What are the best hummingbird flowers for gardens and feeders?
Some of the best and most reliable flowers for attracting hummingbirds to gardens include:
- Bee Balm
- Cardinal Flower
- Columbine
- Coral Bells
- Delphinium
- Foxglove
- Gladiolus
- Hollyhock
- Lantana
- Penstemon
- Petunias
- Salvia
- Scarlet Sage
- Trumpet Creeper
- Zinnias
For feeders, a simple 1-4 cup capacity feeder filled with a nectar solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water is ideal. Pick brightly colored feeders with yellow, red, or orange accents to attract hummingbirds. Clean feeders weekly to prevent mold.
What is the diet of hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds have a very specialized diet optimized for gaining quick energy:
- The main food source is flower nectar – a fast-acting sugar and carbohydrate source
- They also eat small insects and spiders which provide protein
- Some species supplement with tree sap or pollen
- Their long tongue allows them to lick up nectar at a rate of 13 licks per second
- Their diet can include over 60% sugars derived from nectar
- To meet energy needs they eat approximately every 10-15 minutes and consume more than their body weight in nectar each day
Hummingbirds have one of the highest metabolisms of all animals relative to their size, so they must constantly eat to maintain their energy. Their diet provides quick carbohydrates from nectar and essential protein from insects.
How much do hummingbirds eat per day?
Hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms. Here’s how much they need to eat each day to maintain their energy levels:
- Up to 2-3 times their body weight in nectar and insects
- Hundreds of individual flower visits per day for nectar
- Hundreds to thousands of tiny insects like fruit flies or gnats
- Approximately every 10-15 minutes they feed during daylight hours
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds may consume up to 17,000 calories per day
- Their feeding territory can cover an area over 5 acres in size
This frequent feeding pattern helps hummingbirds avoid starvation and maintain the calories necessary to power their beating wings and busy lifestyle.
How fast does a hummingbird’s heart beat?
Hummingbirds have incredibly fast heart rates that align with their energetic lifestyle and feeding patterns:
- While resting, about 250 beats per minute
- While active, up to 1260 beats per minute
- Higher than any other animal relative to their size
- At 250 bpm, their hearts beat over 10 million times per year
- Oxygen intake 50% more efficient than other birds
- Can consume oxygen at a higher rate than they can pump it via respiration
The hummingbird’s rapid heart rate enables delivery of oxygen and energy to their flight muscles. When hovering, their oxygen consumption can exceed their respiratory capacity, so their partial anaerobic metabolism also provides some energy during active feeding.
Why do hummingbirds have such rapid heart rates?
There are a few key reasons hummingbirds evolved to have extremely fast heart rates:
- To provide energy for sustained hovering flight and rapid wing-flapping
- To enable quick delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues
- To support their unmatched metabolism which requires large amounts of energy
- To facilitate their almost continual feeding from flower to flower
- To maintain optimal temperature and function in cold climates
Rapid circulation and heartbeat are critical adaptations that allow hummingbirds to continuously power flight, accommodate their metabolic demands, and thrive in diverse environments from hot tropics to high altitudes.
What are some interesting facts about hummingbirds?
Here are some fascinating facts that highlight the uniqueness of hummingbirds:
| Category | Facts |
|---|---|
| Size and Appearance | – The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world at just 2 inches long – Many hummingbird species are brightly colored with exotic feathers |
| Flight and Speed | – Wings beat up to 80 times per second – Can fly 25-30 mph, with dives up to 60 mph – Rotating wings allow them to hover and fly backwards |
| Metabolism | – Extremely high metabolism – at rest, burn 10 times the calories of an elephant – Require frequent feeding (up to every 10-15 minutes) throughout the day |
| Migration | – Some species migrate 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico – Travel an average of 3,000 miles during migration season |
| Longevity | – Most species live 3-5 years in the wild – Oldest known hummingbird was 12 years old |
These characteristics all point to the incredible adaptation, energy, and endurance contained within these tiny, vibrant birds.
What is the smallest hummingbird species?
The smallest hummingbird species in the world is the Bee Hummingbird found in Cuba. Some key facts about this tiny bird:
- Grows to only 2-2.4 inches long
- Weighs 1.8-2.0 grams, lighter than a penny
- Smallest known bird species in the world
- Male has bright red throat and iridescent green back feathers
- Female is slightly larger with pale throat
- Tiny bill adapted to reach nectar in small flowers
- Fast wing beats enabling hovering and flight
- Heart rate up to 1260 beats per minute
Despite its incredibly small size, the Bee Hummingbird zips around just like larger species, feeding on nectar and hovering at flowers. Its diminutive size is a unique adaptation enabling it to access tiny blossoms.
What is the lifespan of hummingbirds?
Most hummingbird species have relatively short lifespans of just a few years. Here are some details on hummingbird longevity:
- Average lifespan in wild is 3-5 years
- Mortality highest in the first year of life
- Oldest known wild hummingbird was 12 years old
- Typical lifespan in captivity can be 10-15 years with ideal care
- High mortality due to predation, accidents, starvation
- Energy demands make it difficult to store fat against environmental variables
Hummingbirds live life on a fast track, like their heart rate and wing speed. Their high activity levels and metabolism mean they burn energy rapidly. So they must continually feed and avoid threats to reach maximum lifespan. Still, their small size and dazzling flight let them thrive within their short but energetic life cycle.
Why do hummingbirds have relatively short lifespans?
There are several reasons hummingbird lifespans are fairly short compared to other birds:
- Very high metabolic rate rapidly burns energy stores
- Risk of starvation without frequent feeding
- Higher predation rates due to small size
- Dangers faced during migration
- High stress of breeding activities
- Challenges of cold exposure in temperate climates
- Intense competition for food in some habitats
Given the threats hummingbirds face and the energy they expend, their lifespan of 3-5 years in the wild is impressive. Their adaptations allow them to thrive within the constraints of their size and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing birds that capture our fascination. They overcome their tiny size with specialized adaptations like rapid wing beats, backwards flight, extendable tongues, high-speed metabolism and more. These energetic dynamos zip from flower to flower feeding on nectar to power their busy lives. Their bright colors and aerial dances bring their magic and energy to yards and gardens across the Americas. By understanding their characteristics and needs, we can better provide habitat to attract these special birds and appreciate the wonder they add to the natural world.
