Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are among the smallest migrating birds on our planet . A bird whose brains make up 4.2% of its body weight.

Hummingbirds

Their name was derived from the humming sound generated by the tiny wings when they fly. They are native to America’s and one of the smallest birds alive.

They are about 357 species of hummingbirds.

Males are smaller than the females in the small bodied species, while in large bodied species. The males are larger than the females.

They have no sense of taste but they can see colors. Mostly attracted to bright colors like red. Infact, they can see in UV light hence further than humans can. They also have a better sense of hearing.

They are nectarivores, meaning that they depend on nectar for their food.

By feeding on the nector, they are able to promote pollination in the flowers they get nector from.

After insects, hummingbird have the highest metabolism while in flight. This helps us understand how a migrating ruby-throated hummingbird is able to cross the Gulf of Mexico.

Their extremely high metabolism requires excellent functioning kidneys. They intake lots of waters, upto to five times their body weight.

They conserve their energy at night by practicing a hibernation-like technique known as torpor. Where all its body functions are extremely slowed down.

Unlike other birds, hummingbirds can travel the many miles alone during their migration.

The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird among the hummingbirds and other birds.

Interesting, hummingbirds can manage to fly in different angles. That is, forward, backwards, downwards and even upwards.

Unfortunately, they can only live up to to around 5 years.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds have loads of surprises. Being among the smallest birds yet migrate very long distances.

It’s funny how they depend on flowers for the nectar, but have no idea how these flowers smell. But awesomely, they are attracted to the brightly colored ones. This is just amazing.

So what do you think would happen if they were to vanish? Who will help the flowers when they need pollination to occur?

Lets stop clearing the natural habitats. It’s time to share what has remained among all living organisms. In short, time to embrace sustainable living.

In my next article, I will tell you all about my favourite African Hoope.

30 thoughts on “Hummingbirds”

  1. We have these bright green and pinkish color migrate thru Texas. My granny would have her tree’s full of feeders and stand and watch for hours. Their nest are very hard to see and very small. 🙂

      1. They migrate thru Texas every year I think on way to Mexico. Their common if you put out plenty of juice and let them find, it may take a year. My grannie would have sometimes ten out front. She loved them.

        1. They love sugary stuff. She must have had great knowledge about them. I envy her 😘😊, I wish I will get such an opportunity

          1. 😘😊😊. Some birds see colors and are attracted by bright colors. Like the hummingbirds. But most birds will be attracted to feeders with food and water, for those that depend on nectar, water with sugar is a great magnet to pull them.

          2. I finally get to go to postal office on Monday!!!!!!! I’m glad to have your and Ester’s surprise on the way. You fragrance is much stronger so you will need to let it air out. I hope Ester likes hers, very flowery. I still included the note to your parents just not able to send lotion. It would leak on everything. 🙂

          3. I’ll let you know, it’s ready with packing and customs info and just needs postage. It was crazy, I went to DHL and Fedex thinking it would get there sooner and look now, good old postal service. 🙂

  2. Beautiful birds. When we visited Jamaica we were able to feed them by hand from small bottles with a nozzle. It was one of my most memorable experiences. I’ll never forget how those small feet felt when they landed on my finger.

    1. Yes, they have a larger brain mass to body mass ratio. That’s why they are among the most intelligent animals. Hummingbirds have brains that are approximately 2.5 times larger than those of galliform birds. Normally, birds have a 1/12 brain mass to body mass ratio.

  3. Pingback: Hummingbirds – Cheche Winnie

  4. Pingback: Hummingbirds | Cheche Winnie | The Reluctant Poet

  5. I love all birds, but the hummingbird is particularly fascinating. I never tire of watching them hover at our feeder and drink their fill of sugar water. Sometimes they drink for so long, I wonder where they’re putting all that liquid! Thank you for the interesting information about them, Cheche, and for becoming a follower of my blog, From the Inside Out. I pray you’ll find the posts meaningful whenever you’re able to visit!

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