THE MIGHTIEST MIDGETS – HUMMINGBIRDS

At our February meeting, Claudia West, Birds & Butterflies Committee Chair, presented an informative talk titled The Mightiest Midgets – Hummingbirds, highlighting the fascinating traits of these tiny yet mighty creatures. Below are some intriguing facts about hummingbirds that Claudia shared:

The name "hummingbird" comes from the distinct humming sound their wings make, as their wings can beat up to 200 times per second. There are over 330 species of hummingbirds across North and South America. Hummingbirds are incredibly small, with some species measuring as tiny as two inches long and weighing slightly less than a nickel. Their legs are so small that they are only useful for perching—they cannot walk or hop. While resting, the average hummingbird takes about 150 breaths per minute, a reflection of their high metabolism. Hummingbirds are unique among birds in that they are the only species capable of flying backward. Their wings move in a figure-eight pattern, which gives them exceptional maneuverability. They can fly as fast as 30 mph and even reach speeds of up to 60 mph when diving. With heart rates reaching over 1,200 beats per minute, hummingbirds have one of the fastest heartbeats of any animal, far outpacing the typical human heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. As the smallest migrating birds, hummingbirds make solo journeys of up to 500 miles at a time. Their migration patterns are remarkable, given their small size. Although their size makes them seem gentle, hummingbirds are quite territorial. They fiercely defend their food sources, including flowers and feeders, often spending a great deal of time chasing other birds away. Hummingbirds have long tongues, which act as tiny pumps that allow them to suck up the nectar from flowers and feeders. They consume up to double their body weight in a single day. When flowers are scarce, hummingbirds will eat tree sap and small insects to supplement their diet. Hummingbird nests are incredibly small, about the size of a half-dollar coin. It takes the female about five to seven days to construct a nest using materials like lichen, moss, and spiderwebs. Female hummingbirds typically lay just two eggs in their nests, and these eggs are about the size of a garden pea.
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Claudia's presentation left us all in awe of the incredible abilities and adaptations of hummingbirds. Their remarkable features and behaviors remind us of the complexity of the natural world and the need to protect these tiny marvels of nature.