Hummingbirds are a family of small, colorful birds known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. They are found exclusively in the Americas, with over 300 different species identified. Hummingbirds are unusually active during rain showers, continuing to feed even in wet conditions. There are several reasons why hummingbirds exhibit this behavior when it rains.
To Avoid Starvation
Hummingbirds need to eat frequently to maintain their high metabolisms and energy levels. Their hearts beat up to 1,200 times per minute and they flap their wings 70 times per second. To support this, hummingbirds eat the equivalent of their own body weight in nectar each day. They get most of their calories from drinking sugary nectar from flowers using their long, specially adapted tongues.
If hummingbirds stop eating for more than an hour, they risk starving to death. Because they are so small, they are more vulnerable to food shortages than other birds. Their fast heart rate means they burn through calories very quickly.
During rain showers, many smaller insects take shelter, reducing the available food source for hummingbirds. Nectar in flowers also gets washed away by the rain. So even though it is more challenging to feed in the rain, hummingbirds have to continue foraging or risk running out of energy.
Adaptations That Allow Feeding in Rain
Hummingbirds have several unique adaptations that allow them to feed even in wet, rainy conditions:
- Water-repellent feathers help keep their bodies dry and maintain body heat.
- Long, narrow beaks allow them to reach into rain-drenched flowers for nectar.
- Specially curled tongues with fringe-like structures along the edges help collect nectar quickly.
- Hummingbirds can alter their wing angle and flight patterns to stabilize themselves in rain and wind.
These special adaptations give hummingbirds an advantage in rain compared to other birds and pollinating insects, allowing them continued access to food sources.
To Defend Nectar Resources
Flowers produce much less nectar during rainy conditions. This means there are fewer calories available from each flower for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Competition for nectar sources is higher during rain.
By staying active in the rain, hummingbirds can continue patrolling and defending nectar resources in their territories. If they waited out the rain in shelter, other animals might take over food sources in their range. The rainy periods with limited food often coincide with migration and breeding seasons when energy needs are especially high.
Territorial behavior includes chasing intruders, displaying warning dives and calls, and aggressively defending favored flower patches. This helps ensure hummingbirds have enough food to survive during rain storms.
Metabolism and Temperature Regulation
In addition to food shortages, cold stress from wet conditions poses a major threat to hummingbirds during rain. Hummingbirds have high metabolisms that require a lot of energy to maintain their body temperature and function. When their feathers get wet, it disrupts their ability to thermoregulate. This is why hummingbirds avoid getting wet when possible.
By visiting flowers and feeding on nectar throughout rainfall, hummingbirds generate essential body heat to replace what is lost through wet plumage. The calories from nectar help counteract chill factor and allow hummingbirds to maintain a healthy metabolism.
To Support Territory Establishment
The rainy season overlaps with when many hummingbirds are establishing breeding territories and nests. Males arrive first and claim the best habitat, then try to attract females. Rains trigger flowering plants that females prefer when building nests.
Staying active throughout the rain allows males to continue advertising territories and resources to potential mates. Females also spend more time feeding during rain to gain energy for nesting. Feeding rituals further display health to possible partners.
Participating in courtship activities like chasing females and displaying in rain helps establish bonds that may lead to successful mating. Productive feeding grounds claimed during rain improve chances of attracting a female.
Why Rain Boosts Displays
There are several reasons why rain triggers more courtship displays and territorial behavior:
- Abundant flowers and food attract more hummingbirds to an area, increasing competition
- Difficult weather conditions test health and survival traits a mate would find desirable
- The rain washes away nectar, forcing birds to visit many flowers advertising territory
- Cooler weather allows vigorous displays without overheating
By resolving conflicts and courting mates despite challenges from the weather, hummingbirds show their fitness. This is why aggressive displays peak during rainfall.
To Support Molting
Hummingbirds undergo an annual molt where old, worn feathers are replaced with new plumage. This occurs after breeding season. Molting is energy intensive and makes hummingbirds more vulnerable, as new feathers grow in.
To support the molt process, hummingbirds need adequate food. Hummingbird species that live in tropical climates with distinct rainy periods often molt at the start of the rainy season. The rain triggers more flowering plants, improving food availability during this demanding time.
By feeding actively during rain showers, hummingbirds ensure they get enough calories to grow in their fresh plumage. The rain also creates lower temperatures that reduce heat stress as insulation is lost.
Why Hummingbirds Molt During Rainy Periods
There are several advantages for hummingbirds that time their molt with seasonal rains:
- More flowers and nectar sources become available to support energy needs
- Lower temperatures help regulate body heat as new feathers grow in
- Increased rain reduces fire risk, improving safety of nesting sites
- Fewer mating opportunities make it a good time to be less territorial
Timing molt and feather regrowth during rainy periods helps ensure hummingbirds have abundant food and shelter as they regain flight abilities.
To Support Migration
Many hummingbird species migrate long distances, traveling between breeding habitats and overwintering grounds seasonally. These migration journeys require large amounts of energy. Some hummingbirds fly nonstop over oceans during migration, needing enough fuel stores to power 500-600 wing beats per second for extended periods.
Migrating hummingbirds take advantage of any opportunities they can to feed and build up fat reserves for the road. Rainy weather often coincides with migration timeframes, both in spring and fall. Hummingbirds will feed actively during rainfall if it allows them access to more flower nectar.
This maximizes their fuel stores as they prepare for lengthy flights over inhospitable terrain. The boost in food before migratory journeys can significantly impact survival outcomes.
How Rain Affects Migration Resting and Feeding
Here are some key ways rainfall influences migrating hummingbirds:
- Provides essential rehydration opportunities
- Allows hummingbirds to cool down after flying in hot weather
- Triggers flowering needed to replenish energy reserves
- Creates insect hatches that offer additional food sources
- Offers shelter and relief from predators during stopovers
Taking advantage of these opportunities during rainfall helps hummingbirds successfully continue migration.
To Take Advantage of Increased Insect Activity
While nectar makes up the majority of their diet, hummingbirds also eat many small insects for essential protein. They have excellent vision and hunting skills, catching bugs like fruit flies, gnats, aphids, spiders, and mosquitoes in midair.
Hummingbirds can get up to half their daily protein needs from insect prey. Some species also feed insects to their chicks. So increased insect activity during rainy weather offers much needed food.
Many insects emerge after rain, taking advantage of wet conditions that support breeding. Hummingbirds capitalize on this by hunting for bugs in the rain. Common prey includes:
- Mosquitoes
- Gnats
- Aphids
- Flies
- Beetles
- Ants
- Caterpillars
Eating more insects during rain helps hummingbirds get adequate nutrition to complement sugary nectar.
How Hummingbirds Hunt Insects in Rain
Hummingbirds have special adaptations that allow them to locate and catch insect prey in midair, even during storms:
- Excellent vision to spot tiny moving insects
- Swift flight abilities to pursue prey
- Directional hearing using asymmetrical ear placement
- Long, specialized tongue to snatch bugs
- Water-repellent feathers to shake off rain
These traits allow hummingbirds to take advantage of increased insects during wet weather.
To Give Young Practice Foraging
By about 2-3 weeks old, hummingbird chicks are ready to start leaving the nest and practicing flying. At this stage, the mother still feeds the fledglings some, but they also need to learn independence.
Rainy periods often coincide with this phase of development for many hummingbird species. While the rain makes flying more challenging, it encourages the young birds to develop critical foraging skills.
Under the watchful eye of the mother, fledglings will attempt feeding on nectar and catching insects during light rainfall. Doing so helps them gain strength and coordination necessary to feed themselves when independent.
Why Hummingbirds Use Rainy Spells for Fledgling Practice
There are several benefits to fledgling hummingbirds learning to forage in rain:
- Strengthens flight muscles and rain flying ability
- Develops essential feeding and hunting skills
- Lowers risk compared to learning in harsher weather
- Rain washes away nectar forcing practice at many flowers
- Increased insect availability teaches bug catching
The opportunities rain provides help prepare young hummingbirds to survive on their own.
To Clean Their Feathers
Hummingbirds have specialized feathers designed to help them hover and withstand the pressures of rapid flight. Their feathers need to be maintained in good condition in order to fly efficiently. The tiny hooks and barbules on hummingbird feathers that zip them together can get dirty or damaged over time.
When it rains, hummingbirds will often perch and allow the raindrops to fall on their back and wings. The water helps wash away dirt, parasites, and other debris. It also rezippers any feathers hooks that have come apart to keep the feather surface smooth.
Bathing in rain shower drops assists with preening and feather repair. It helps remove excess oils and other buildup without damaging the delicate feathers. Taking advantage of the rain allows hummingbirds to keep their flying feathers in optimal shape.
Why Rain Helps Clean Feathers
Here are some key reasons rainfall benefits hummingbird feathers:
- Dissolves and rinses away dirt, pollen, and dust
- Washes off feather mites and other parasites
- Reseals tiny feather hooks that come unattached
- Removes excess feather oils and waterproofs plumage
- Freshens appearance for mating without damaging barbs
Taking a rain shower bath helps hummingbirds naturally clean and groom feathers.
To Drink and Bathe
Like all animals, hummingbirds need adequate water for hydration and temperature regulation. While they get sugars from nectar, they also drink plain water. Hummingbirds will opportunistically drink raindrops from leaves and perches.
The rain also provides a way for hummingbirds to bathe. Bathing helps control feather parasites, remove dirt, and distribute protective oils. Hummingbirds have been observed using rain to take baths, allowing the droplets to soak through their plumage.
After bathing, hummingbirds may perch and preen to rearrange feathers and dry off. Drinking and bathing in rain gives hummingbirds a convenient water source that supports health and cleanliness.
Rain Bathing and Drinking Behaviors
When drinking or bathing in the rain, hummingbirds display behaviors like:
- Perching with wings extended and tail spread to maximize exposure
- Fluffing up feathers to allow droplets throughout plumage
- Rotating position to soak back, underside, and head
- Opening bill and moving tongue to capture falling raindrops
- Shaking off excess water when finished
- Preening barbs into place and drying feathers
This allows hummingbirds to efficiently utilize rain showers for bathing and hydration needs.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are uniquely adapted to take advantage of rainy conditions that would ground many other birds. Their specialized feeding behaviors allow them to subsist on rain-soaked flower nectar and increased insects. By foraging successfully in the rain, hummingbirds can refuel and maintain energy levels despite challenges. Rainfall also provides key opportunities for drinking, bathing, establishing territories, migrating, and rearing young. Hummingbirds have evolved to not just survive, but thrive, during periods of heavy rainfall.
