If you have ever seen a hummingbird at your bird feeder or in the forest, you were probably struck by a few things. You no doubt noticed the speed of its flight, as well as its tiny stature and perfectly formed body. You may have been struck by the vibrant colors of the bird as it moved through the air, or the way it seemed to hover in the air around your feeder.
Whether you enjoy hummingbirds for their natural beauty or their unique niche in the environment, there are probably a few things you do not know about these one-of-a-kind birds. Here are 10 things you might not know about the humble hummingbird.
#1. Nemesis – The Praying Mantis
They sometimes fall prey to praying mantises. While these insects are much smaller than hummingbirds, they have been known to attack and even kill the birds. A quick Google search for hummingbird and praying mantis will unveil dozens of videos showing praying mantises patiently waiting on hummingbird feeders and grabbing the birds as they land.
#2. Not Just Nectar Eaters
Many people think hummingbirds eat only nectar, but their diet is actually more varied. Hummingbirds eat a combination of nectar, insects, tree sap and pollen
#3. Tiniest Birds, Biggest Eaters
The varied diet is important since hummingbirds need to eat almost constantly to maintain their high metabolism and active lifestyle. Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast heartbeat and breathing rate, and high body temperature as well. In fact, no animal has a faster metabolism – roughly 100 times that of an elephant.
#4. Ready For Flight in 18 Days
Hummingbirds lay between one and three eggs at a time, and the eggs gestate for between 13 and 22 days. Once the baby hummingbirds hatch, they are ready to fly on their own between 18 and 30 days.
#5. Over 330 Species of Hummingbirds
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in North and South America alone. They live exclusively in the Western Hemisphere, from Alaska to the tip of South America. The smallest hummingbird is the aptly named bee hummingbird, one of the tiniest birds on the planet.
#6. They Can Flap Their Wings 90 Times per Second
It is not your imagination – a hummingbird can indeed hover in midair while it feeds. The hummingbird accomplishes this feat by flapping its wings incredibly rapidly. Depending on the species the hummingbird can flap its wings between 10 and 90 times per second.
#7. They Can’t Walk On The Ground
You do not have to worry about providing a perch on your hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds have feet so tiny that they find it difficult to walk or stand on a perch, and they cannot walk on the ground.
#8. They Can Carry 1/2 Their Wight In Fat
Hummingbirds embark on an amazing annual migration, all the more remarkable given their tiny size. Hummingbirds start their journey in the eastern U.S., cross the Gulf of Mexico and end their migration in Central America, where they spend the winter. To provide energy for the trip, hummingbirds pack on a layer of fat equal to half of their total body weight.
#9. They Are Absentee Baby-Daddy’s
The female hummingbird has the sole responsibility for hatching the eggs and raising the young. The male takes no part in the process and typically finds another mate after the clutch of eggs is laid. The largest hummingbird lays eggs that weigh around 1.4 grams – which is less than the weight of a single playing card. Unlike most songbirds, the female hummingbird will not share a male’s territory. She establishes her own little home area and mates with a nearby male.
#10. They Can Slow Their Metabolism to 1/15th of Normal
Hummingbirds can conserve energy and resources when food is scarce. During this period of semi-hibernation, the hummingbird slows its metabolism to just 1/15 its normal rate. Hummingbirds also maintain this slow metabolism when they sleep. This really deep sleep is called Torpor (pronounces TOR-per). During this process, their body temperature will drop to the point of becoming hypothermic.
Hummingbirds may be tiny birds, but they are a big deal to bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts. These tiny creatures play a vital role in the environment, and they are always a favorite at back yard bird feeders.
Hummingbirds, with their iridescent plumage and dynamic motion, have long been a captivating subject in the realm of art, symbolizing joy, beauty, and vitality. These diminutive yet striking birds have been depicted in various art forms across cultures and ages, embodying an ethereal quality that challenges artists to capture their essence. In traditional Native American art, hummingbirds are often portrayed as healers or love-bringers, their delicate grace rendered in intricate totem poles and woven textiles. In contemporary visual arts, hummingbirds are a favorite among painters and illustrators who seek to showcase their vibrant colors and the blur of their rapidly beating wings, often set against lush, floral backgrounds. Their representation extends beyond the visual, inspiring poets and musicians with their lightness and agility. Hummingbirds, in essence, represent a bridge between the tangible and the mythical, their fleeting beauty offering a glimpse into the extraordinary intricacies of the natural world.
