Bird-Center.net

by Adam Fulford, Bird-Center.net

Hummingbirds’ Wings

Hummingbirds hover and dart forwards, backwards, and sideways amongst bright bell-shaped flowers, making a humming sound. That’s how they got their name. The humming sound comes from the extremely rapid beating of their wings, 22 to 70 beats per second.

Diet

Such motion requires an incredible amount of energy. To get this energy, they need to find 1000 flowers and sip their nectar, and eat bugs.

Size of Humminbirds

The average weight of hummingbirds is between 3.5 and 9 grams. The smallest hummingbird is the bee hummingbird. It weighs 2.5 grams and is 1.75 inches long. The bee hummingbird is perhaps the smallest bird in the world. The giant hummingbird of South America weighs almost 20 grams and is 8 inches long.

Feathers

Hummingbirds have brightly colored feathers that appear to glow.

Where Do Hummingbirds live?

They’re usually seen hovering around flowers and gardens. When they rest they perch on branches or flower stalks. They often have their favorite perches. Hummingbirds only live in the Americas. Most of them live in tropical places, but some can be found as far north as Canada. The hummingbirds’ average lifespan is five years, but some live can live up to twelve years.

What Are Humminbird Nests Like?

Hummingbird mothers build tiny nests for their chicks. The nests are made with plant bits, lichen, and spider webs. They are disguised and well-hidden among branches to hide the baby hummingbirds from predators.

What is a Hummingbird’s Wing speed?

Hummingbirds’ wings have been clocked between 40-80 flaps per second. Giant hummingbirds flap their wings more slowly at around 8 beats per second.

How Fast Can Hummingbirds Fly?

Hummingbirds have been timed flying at speeds as high as 30 miles per hour, and dive as fast as 60 miles per hour.

What is Humminbirds’ Heart Rate?

Hummingbirds’ little hearts beat approximately 1260 times per minute when they are flying.