Facts About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are one of most unique creatures alive and discovering the facts will capture your mind and heart!

The more you learn about the hummingbird; the more you will want to connect and want to witness these awesome little birds.

1. The hummingbird family, Trochilidae, is in the order of Apodiformes. Note: Scientists classify birds based on their anatomy and biochemistry.

2. There are 340 species of hummingbirds making them the second most diverse bird family on earth.

3. The average hummingbird weighs only about 3 grams (less than a nickel by comparison)

4.  Hummingbird mating involves incredible diving rituals. A male will male with more than one female. The female chooses whether to accept the males. She usually bases this decision on whether or not the male has acquired a suitable territory for the sustenance of her offspring.

5. The hummingbird nest are built by the female alone. They are a wonderful piece of architecture that is not only tiny but also flexible. They expand to accommodate the eggs and then later reduce in size once the fledglings have left. Would you like to learn how to find a hummingbird nest to witness the amazing birth and first days of a hummingbird's life?

6. Hummingbird eggs are the smallest in the world. The baby hummingbird  usually hatches within a few weeks depending on species and weather.

7. The hummingbird species has the renowned honor of including the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba, the smallest bird in the world.

8. The gorgeous plumage is well admired. The male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird was named because of the iridescent feathers on its neck which reflect sunlight at different angles. In spite of the jewel like colors of hummingbirds, their visual beauty is an optical illusion. The feather pigments are black, brown and reddish brown. A hummingbird’s feather can reflect light resulting is remarkable color.

9. White hummingbirds (Albino hummingbirds) and semi-white (Leucistic hummingbirds) do exist lacking all or nearly all pigment in their feathers.

10. Hummingbirds have the least amount of feathers of any bird. They have only 1000 to 1500 feathers. These feathers cover half their body.

11. Hummingbird flight is special because their wing anatomy allows them to fly forward backwards, upside down and hover in place.

12. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can hover indefinitely.

13. Unlike many birds the plumage of hummingbirds does not change during breeding season but remains the same year-round.

14. Hummingbirds spend an unusual amount of time cleaning (preening) their feathers. The condition of the hummingbird’s feathers is a life and death issue. They need to remain extremely light in order to achieve the flight dynamics that keep them alive.

15. A hummingbird can beat its wings 70 to 80 beats per minute.

16. Hummingbirds molt (lose old feathers and grow new ones) yearly. Once in a while I find a tiny hummingbird feather. You can keep a look out too. They are tiny and hard to see.

17. Hummingbirds live on the edge of survival and can starve to death in 3 to 5 hours.

18. Hummingbirds digest their food in 20 minutes with great efficiency. They extract more than 90% of the sucrose and eliminate the water. If you have ever watched a hummingbird perch, you now know that they are not resting but busy digesting food.

19. Hummingbirds have the largest heart of any bird for its size. Its heart rate is often more that 1,200 beats per minute.

20. They have an ability to pollinate flowers which co-evolved with them. Over thousands of years hummingbirds fed regularly on the nectar of plants for the energy they needed to survive. The plants evolved with them, gaining flowers with long tubular shapes to fit the bills of the marvelous birds.

21. Hummingabird migration - Most hummingbird species cannot tolerate cold. Early and late frosts can take a toll on these little birds. That is not to say you will never see a hummingbird in winter. Scientists are beginning to notice the overwintering Rufous in some parts of North America.  The Rufous hummingbird has the longest migration, flying as much as 3,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico. The Ruby-Throated hummingbird also has a long migration route which includes the incredible task of flying 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico! Don’t worry, hummingbirds usually return to the same feeder every year.

22. Hummingbirds do not produce musical sounds. Hummingbird sounds are often chattering sounds. Scientists often describe these sounds as call notes. We now know that some hummingbird sounds originate from their tail feathers.

23. Believe it or not, there are hummingbird predators such as the praying mantis, the dragonfly, the robber fly, certain spiders, some frogs, and larger predatory birds.

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These facts have historically intrigued humans for centuries past and continue to intrigue to the present day.

As we continue to learn about the hummingbirds through ornithological studies, banding, and greater correspondence among enthusiasts, our knowledge and marvel about these birds should increase.

HOME ON THE RANGE

Hummingbirds are considered to be a bird of the Americas. They range from southern Alaska to the Caribbean. Most species live in tropical Central and South America.

Only the migratory Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds east of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Among the number of species that breed in the West is the Black–chinned Hummingbird. The Rufous Hummingbird is the most widespread in Western Canada.

Learn more about Hummingbird Species

OBSERVATION

There is a history between humans and hummingbirds. Their beauty, fearlessness, and other unique qualities have led to a great fascination about these birds.

Many people observe hummingbirds directly in their backyards. Some enthusiasts set up nature cams (miniature video cameras) which will bring live video of hummingbird activities right into their living rooms. Others participate in research while many will travel on bird watching tours.

We hope that these facts about hummingbirds that we have learned can enable us to co-exist without harm for many more centuries to come.

See our Hawk Eye Nature Cam Review
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Hummingbird Guide › Facts

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