Here you can learn about hummingbird feeding, range, size, flight, torpor, where they sleep, hummingbird migration, how to hand-feed hummingbirds and much more ……
Why are they called hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are called so because of the distinctive humming sound they produce when they fly. This sound is created by the rapid beating of their wings, which can flap at an incredible rate of up to 80 times per second. This rapid wing movement generates a high-pitched hum or buzz, which is how the birds got their name. The name “hummingbird” captures this unique sound, highlighting a key feature of these small, vibrant birds.
Unique Features
Hummingbirds are members of the Trochilidae family, known for their remarkable flying abilities and striking plumage. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, most of which are found in the Americas, particularly in Central and South America. Their size is often tiny, with some species measuring just 3 inches in length. Despite their small stature, they are incredibly agile and can hover in place, fly backward, and even move sideways, thanks to their unique wing structure that allows for rapid, controlled movements.
Why People Are Fascinated by Them
People are drawn to hummingbirds for several reasons. Their iridescent plumage, often shimmering in bright colors like red, green, and blue, is visually striking. Their acrobatic flying skills also captivate observers, as they seem to defy the natural laws of flight. Additionally, their small size and delicate nature evoke a sense of wonder, symbolizing agility, freedom, and the beauty of nature.
Their elusive and energetic behavior, coupled with their intricate relationships with flowers, makes them a source of fascination for nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers alike. The hummingbird’s ability to seemingly defy gravity while feeding and their graceful movements in midair are a testament to the marvels of evolution, making them a captivating subject in both the natural world and popular culture.
Here are some interesting hummingbird facts:
1. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.
- Hummingbirds are incredibly small birds, and their size is one of their most striking features. The size of a hummingbird can vary depending on the species, but most hummingbirds fall within a particular size range.
Here’s a breakdown of their size characteristics:
- Length:
- Most hummingbirds are about 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 13 cm) in length.
- The smallest hummingbird species, the bee hummingbird (found in Cuba), is only about 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) long. This makes it the smallest bird in the world!
- The largest hummingbird species, the giant hummingbird (found in South America), can reach up to 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) in length.
- Weight:
- Hummingbirds are also lightweight, with most species weighing between 2.4 and 4.5 grams (0.08 to 0.16 ounces), less than a nickel.
- The bee hummingbird is the lightest of all, weighing only about 1.6 grams (0.056 ounces), less than a penny.
- Wingspan:
- Hummingbirds have relatively short wings compared to their body size, but their wings are adapted for rapid movement. Their wingspan generally ranges from 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm).
- Due to their small size, hummingbirds are capable of extraordinary flight abilities, including hovering in place, rapid forward and backward movement, and even flying upside down! Their wings beat incredibly fast, up to 1,000 times per minute in some species, contributing to their ability to hover and maneuver so acrobatically.
2. They can hover in midair.
- One of the most fascinating aspects of hummingbird flight is their ability to hover. This hovering behavior allows hummingbirds to feed on nectar from flowers while remaining stationary. The hummingbird’s wings have a unique structure that allows them to beat so fast. Instead of simply flapping up and down like other birds, their wings move in a figure-eight motion. This allows them to generate lift on both the upward and downward strokes, creating a continuous flow of air over their wings that provides the necessary force to stay suspended in the air.
Wing Rotation in the Socket:
- What sets hummingbirds apart from most other birds is their ability to rotate their wings in a full circular motion, a capability made possible by the specialized ball-and-socket joint in their shoulder. Unlike most birds, which flap their wings in a back-and-forth motion, hummingbirds can rotate their wings in a 180-degree arc, both forwards and backwards. This allows them to generate lift on both the down stroke and the upstroke of the wing movement.
3. Their wings beat incredibly fast.
- Hummingbird wings beat at an astonishing rate—typically around 50 to 80 times per second, depending on the species and their level of activity. The hummingbird’s wings have a unique structure that allows them to beat so fast. Instead of simply flapping up and down like other birds, their wings move in a figure-eight motion. This allows them to generate lift on both the upward and downward strokes, creating a continuous flow of air over their wings that provides the necessary force to stay suspended in the air.
- Their wing muscles are incredibly powerful, making up 30% to 40% of their total body weight. This high muscle density helps them achieve such rapid movement without tiring quickly. Additionally, the muscle fibers are specialized for quick, continuous contractions, allowing them to sustain such high-speed wing beats for extended periods.The ability to beat their wings so quickly is essential for the hummingbird’s feeding habits. They rely on hovering in front of flowers or feeders to access nectar, and the constant motion of their wings ensures they can remain in place while feeding.
- This remarkable capability also allows them to maneuver with precision, darting from flower to flower with agility.In short, the hummingbird’s incredible wing speed is a combination of unique anatomical adaptations, specialized muscles, and the need to maintain precise control over their flight. These features make the hummingbird one of the most extraordinary and agile fliers in the animal kingdom.
4. They have excellent vision.
- Hummingbirds have some of the best vision in the bird world. Their eyes are capable of seeing a wide range of colors, including ultraviolet light, which helps them identify flowers with nectar and detect potential predators.
5. Hummingbirds can fly backwards.
- They are one of the few birds capable of flying backward. This is possible because of the way their wings move, which allows them to fly in multiple directions with ease.
6. They have a very high metabolism.
- To fuel their high-energy activities, hummingbirds have an incredibly high metabolism. Their hearts can beat as fast as 1,200 times per minute when they are active, and they have to consume about half their body weight in food daily.
7. They consume a lot of nectar.
- A hummingbird’s primary food source is nectar, which provides them with the necessary sugar for energy. Hummingbirds feed frequently throughout the day, typically every 10 to 15 minutes. This is because they have very high metabolism rates and need a constant supply of energy to sustain their rapid wing beats and active flight.
8. Hummingbirds are pollinators.
- While feeding on nectar, hummingbirds inadvertently transfer pollen from flower to flower, playing a crucial role in pollination, helping many plants reproduce. This mutual relationship benefits both the birds, which gain nourishment, and the plants, which ensure the continuation of their species. Without hummingbirds, many plant species would struggle to reproduce.
9. Their tongues are specialized for feeding.
- Hummingbird tongues are fascinating and uniquely adapted to their feeding habits. These tiny birds are known for their remarkable ability to hover in place while feeding on nectar from flowers, and their specialized tongues are key to this behavior.
Structure and Function
- Hummingbird tongues are long, slender, and highly specialized. Unlike most birds, which have relatively simple tongues, a hummingbird’s tongue is uniquely structured to extract nectar efficiently. It is made up of two tubes (or “halves”) that are separated at the tip. These two tubes are covered with tiny, hair-like structures called papillae. These papillae help the tongue “lap” nectar, much like how a human would use a straw, but more effectively.The tongue is usually about twice the length of the bird’s beak, allowing it to reach deep into flowers. As the hummingbird inserts its beak into a flower, it extends its tongue in and out rapidly, often 10-20 times per second. The tongue curls at the tip as it retracts, forming a coil to collect the nectar.
Mechanics of Feeding
- The hummingbird’s tongue works through a complex process of capillary action and mechanical action. When the tongue is inserted into a flower, nectar flows up into the tube-like structure. As the tongue retracts, it curls and creates a vacuum, which pulls nectar into the bird’s mouth. This action is repeated as the bird moves its beak from flower to flower. In many species of hummingbirds, the tongue can extend
- Different species of hummingbirds have tongues that vary in length and structure, often reflecting the types of flowers they feed on. For example, species that feed on flowers with long, narrow tubes have correspondingly long tongues, while species feeding on shorter, open flowers have shorter tongues. This adaptation allows hummingbirds to exploit a wide range of nectar sources.
Evolutionary Significance
- The hummingbird tongue is an evolutionary marvel, finely tuned to the bird’s diet of liquid nectar and small insects. The bird’s ability to hover in place while feeding, combined with the efficiency of its tongue, allows it to pollinate flowers as it moves from one to another. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the hummingbird (which gets nourishment) and the plants (which receive pollination).
Conclusion
- In summary, hummingbird tongues are extraordinary adaptations that enable these tiny birds to thrive on nectar. With their unique structure and high-speed action, they are perfectly suited for the hummingbird’s hovering feeding style, helping them to maintain their energy levels and play a crucial role in pollination.
10. They are incredibly agile flyers.
- In addition to hovering, hummingbirds can also fly at high speeds, with some species capable of reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour during their courtship displays or when flying long distances.
11. They can migrate long distances.
- Hummingbirds are known for their long migratory journeys. Some species of hummingbirds migrate thousands of miles. For example, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates between North America and Central America, crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a nonstop flight of up to 500 miles. and they rely on a combination of memory and environmental cues to navigate.Here are a few key factors that contribute to their ability to return to the same location:
- Spatial Memory: Hummingbirds have excellent spatial memory, which allows them to remember the layout of their environment, including flowers, feeders, and gardens. This memory helps them identify the locations of food sources and navigate back to them.
- Sun Compass and Landmarks: During migration, hummingbirds use a combination of the position of the sun and natural landmarks to navigate. They can memorize key landmarks along their route and use them to orient themselves during migration.
- Temporal Memory: Hummingbirds are known to remember the timing of when flowers or feeders are likely to be replenished with nectar. This helps them return to the same flowers or feeders at the right time.
- Magnetic and Celestial Navigation: While not directly related to memory, studies suggest that hummingbirds also use the Earth’s magnetic field and the stars for navigation, particularly during long-distance migration. These systems can complement their spatial and temporal memory.
12. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell.
- Unlike many other birds, hummingbirds do not rely on smell to locate flowers. Instead, they use their excellent vision to find bright, colorful flowers rich in nectar.
13. They are territorial.
14. They have a unique sleep behavior.
- Hummingbird torpor is a state of profound physiological rest that hummingbirds enter to conserve energy, especially during periods when food is scarce or temperatures are extremely low. Unlike other animals, hummingbirds have an extremely high metabolism, so they need to consume large amounts of nectar and insects throughout the day to maintain their energy levels. However, at night or when resources are limited, they may enter a state called torpor to survive.
- In torpor, a hummingbird’s metabolic rate drops dramatically, reducing its energy consumption by up to 95%. This helps the bird conserve the calories it would otherwise need to keep its body temperature regulated. During torpor, a hummingbird’s heart rate can drop from around 1,200 beats per minute to as low as 50 beats per minute, and its body temperature can fall from around 40°C (104°F) to as low as 18°C (64°F), depending on the environmental conditions.
- Torpor is not sleep; it is a temporary, hibernation-like state. It is usually reversed by the morning when the bird “wakes up” and reactivates its metabolism. Rewarming from torpor takes energy, and it can take up to 30 minutes for the hummingbird to return to its normal active state. This strategy helps hummingbirds survive periods of food scarcity, especially during the night when they can’t feed.Hummingbird torpor is a fascinating adaptation that allows these tiny, energy-demanding birds to endure adverse conditions, but it can also be dangerous, as the bird is more vulnerable to predators and environmental threats during this time.
15. Their heart rate can be drastically slowed during torpor
- During torpor, a hummingbird’s heart rate can slow so dramatically that it seems as though their heart has stopped. This state of suspended animation allows them to conserve energy during cold nights. A hummingbird’s heart rate can drop from around 1,200 beats per minute to as low as 50 beats per minute.
16. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas.
- Hummingbirds are native to the Americas, with the greatest diversity of species found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are most abundant in Central and South America, although some migrate as far as North America.
17. They are known for their bright plumage.
- Many hummingbirds have iridescent feathers that can appear to change color depending on the angle of the light. This vibrant coloration is due to microscopic platelets in the feathers that refract light.
18. Hummingbirds have excellent memory.
- Hummingbirds are known to have excellent spatial memory. Yes, hummingbirds have remarkable memory, and it is believed that they can use this ability to return to specific gardens or locations after migrating. After their migration, hummingbirds may return to the same garden or location, especially if it offers reliable food sources. However, their ability to do so is a combination of memory and the environmental conditions they encounter when they arrive. They can remember the locations of individual flowers and feeders, and some species even remember which flowers have been visited recently.
19. Male Hummingbirds have a unique courtship dive.
- Hummingbird courtship dives are a fascinating display of aerial acrobatics and territorial behavior, typically performed by male hummingbirds to attract females. This courtship behavior, often seen in species like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, involves a series of high-speed dives and intricate maneuvers.
Key Elements of the Courtship Dive:
- Start of the Dive: The male begins the courtship display by hovering in front of the female or in a nearby location. The male often approaches the female from a distance, sometimes hovering near her or calling to catch her attention.
- Climbing to Height: The male first ascends to a significant height, typically several meters above the ground or the perch. This allows him to build up momentum for the dramatic dive.
- The Dive: Once in position, the male launches himself into a steep, high-speed descent, often making a sharp, fast downward plunge. During the dive, he may twist and perform sharp turns, creating a visually stunning and dynamic display. The dive can reach speeds of over 50 mph (80 km/h).
- The “Whistle” Sound: As the male dives, air rushing through his tail feathers creates a distinctive, high-pitched sound, often described as a “whistle” or “squeak.” This noise is a key part of the courtship ritual, signaling his presence and speed. The male may repeat the dive several times to emphasize his skill and agility.
- Repetition and Showing Off: The male usually repeats the dive multiple times, often circling back and ascending again to start the next dive. He might also perform other displays like rapid hovering or flying around in intricate patterns to impress the female.
- Female’s Response: The female watches the male’s performance and may respond by moving closer or by showing interest. Sometimes, she will either accept or reject his advances based on the quality of the dive, his stamina, and the overall impression of his aerial prowess. In some cases, the male may also offer a food gift as part of the courtship.
Purpose of the Dive:
- The primary purpose of the courtship dive is to demonstrate the male’s strength, agility, and stamina, which are all important factors in mate selection. The dive highlights his physical fitness, which is crucial for survival and for protecting territory. The male hummingbird that can perform the most impressive dives might have a higher chance of attracting a mate.
Significance:
- The courtship dive is one of the most spectacular natural behaviors observed in birds, showcasing not only the remarkable flying skills of hummingbirds but also their intricate social interactions. This behavior is a vital part of their reproduction process, as it helps the female assess the fitness and capabilities of potential mates.
20. They have a high-energy diet.
- Besides nectar, hummingbirds also eat small insects and spiders for protein. This protein is essential for their muscle function, especially in the flight muscles required for their high-speed, energy-intensive flying.
- These unique characteristics make hummingbirds one of the most fascinating and extraordinary birds in the animal kingdom. Their ability to hover, their high metabolism, and their specialized feeding habits all contribute to their incredible adaptations to life in the air.
Hummingbird range in North America
Hummingbirds are a fascinating and diverse family of birds with a broad distribution across North America and beyond. Here’s a breakdown of their range in North America and the rest of the world:
United States and Canada
Sixteen different species of hummingbirds breed in the United States.
And four species breed in Canada. Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope, Rufous
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- Common species: The most well-known species in the United States is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) and the only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River. It is also the only species that migrates regularly between the U.S. and Central America. They breed primarily in the eastern half of the country, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Other species like the Black-chinned Hummingbird and Calliope Hummingbird are found in the western U.S., including states like California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- Migration: Most North American hummingbirds are migratory, flying south to Central America for the winter. Some species, like the Anna’s Hummingbird, can be found year-round in southern California and parts of Arizona.
Mexico and Central America
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- Mexico is a hot spot for hummingbird diversity, with over 50 species of hummingbirds present, including the Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Berylline Hummingbird.
- Hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats across Mexico, from deserts to cloud forests. Some species migrate between the U.S. and Mexico or even further south.
Hummingbird Range Outside North America
Outside of North America, hummingbirds have an extensive range, primarily in the Americas, but also in a few isolated locations worldwide.
- South America:
- South America is the center of hummingbird diversity. The Andes mountains, in particular, are home to many species, including the Sword-billed Hummingbird and the Giant Hummingbird. The country of Ecuador in northwestern South America has the largest number of hummingbirds of any one country with 163 different species.
- The Tropical Rain Forests of the Amazon are home to many species, including the striking Long-tailed Sylph and Purple-crowned Fairy. The humid conditions and rich diversity of flora provide an ideal environment for these tiny birds.
- Caribbean:
- Many hummingbird species inhabit the islands of the Caribbean, including the Cuban Emerald and the Jamaican Mango. The Caribbean islands offer unique habitats due to their varying altitudes and ecosystems.
- Other parts of the world:
- While hummingbirds are native only to the Americas, they have been introduced to other parts of the world. For example, some species have been introduced to Hawaii, where they have become naturalized.
- However, hummingbirds are not found in Europe, Africa, or Asia naturally. Their adaptations, such as their specialized feeding habits and need for particular climates, limit their range to the Americas, particularly from southern Canada to Patagonia in Argentina.
Key Points:
- North America is home to a variety of migratory and resident hummingbird species, with a notable diversity in the western U.S. and Mexico.
- South America holds the greatest diversity of hummingbirds, with dense populations in the Andes and Amazon regions.
- Migration patterns are a critical aspect of North American species, with many traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds.
- Non-native populations exist in areas like Hawaii, but the hummingbird’s natural distribution is restricted to the Americas.
In conclusion, hummingbirds are concentrated in the Americas, with the highest species diversity in Central and South America. North American species tend to migrate, while those in the tropics are often year-round residents.
Sixteen different species of hummingbirds breed in the United States.
And four species breed in Canada.
male Ruby-throated hummingbird
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vickisnature/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A close relative to the Ruby-throated, the Black-chinned Hummingbird, is the most widespread and common species in Canada and the western United States.
male Black-chinned hummingbird
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjbaer/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
16 Species of hummingbirds that breed in the United States:
for pictures of the 16 species of hummingbirds click on the link Species of hummingbirds
* Allen’s Selasphorus sasin
* Anna’s Calypte anna
* black-chinned Archilochus alexandri
* broad-tailed Selasphorus platycercus
* calliope Stellula calliope
* Costa’s Calypte costae
* rufous Selasphorus rufus
* berylline Amazilia beryllina
* blue-throated Lampornis clemenciae
* broad-billed Cynanthus latirostris
* buff-bellied Amazilia yucatenensis
* lucifer Calothorax lucifer
* magnificant (Rivoli) Eugenes fulgens
* ruby-throated Archilochus colubris
* violet-crowned Amazilia violiceps
* white-eared Hylocharis leucotis
Giant hummingbird videos:
This baby Giant Hummingbird landed on our ledge. Normally they are very timid, but this one stayed around for over an hour. Even as a baby they are still larger than all other hummingbirds.
Most people recognize hummingbirds as the very tiny creatures we often see near our homes. However, not all hummingbirds are small. Giant hummingbirds are the largest of the 320 hummingbird species. The North Carolina Zoo exhibits five giant hummingbirds, which are very rare in captivity, in its Sonoran Desert habitat.
Information about hummingbird flight
Unlike other birds, a hummingbird can rotate its wings in a circle. Because of this special hummingbird fact, they are the only bird that can fly both forwards and backwards. They can also fly up, down, sideways, hover in one spot, or fly upside down for short distances. The hummingbird flight muscles make up 30% of a hummingbirds total body weight.
The Hummingbird video: watch this incredible video of a hummingbirds wing movement in super slow motion. They flap their wings up to 70 times per second; it’s heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute.
Normal flight speed for hummingbirds is about 25 miles per hour, but they have been clocked at speeds in excess of fifty miles per hour during their courtship dives.
During normal flight the wings beat about 60-80 times per second. In their courtship dives they might beat up to 200 times per second.
A courtship dive is an elaborate display of flight performed by the male hummingbird at the start of the nesting season. The male hummingbird will climb high into the air (up to 60 feet or more) and dive towards the ground and forming a wide arc, climbs back into the air to about the same height. These dives, forming a wide U-shaped pattern, my be performed 3 or 4 times in rapid succession. These hummingbird courtship dives are performed to attracted the attention of the female hummingbirds and to ward off other male hummingbirds that might be in the area.
Below you will see a courtship dive.
Click on the play button below to view the Anna’s hummingbird video on courtship which shows everything from the adding of pieces of lichen and plant down to the nest, to the courtship dive of the male bird to get the females attention, the male and female Anna’s in flight together, followed by the eggs in the nest. Then see the female Anna’s hummingbird feeding the very tiny newly hatched baby hummingbirds. See the baby hummingbirds test their wings and finally the female Anna’s hummingbird feeding the baby hummingbird after it has left the nest.
First hummingbird video of the Marvelous Spatuletail’s amazing courtship display
by Greg R. Homel, Natural Elements Productions and distributed by American Bird Conservancy, http://www.abcbirds.org.This rare hummingbird inhabits the highlands of Peru.
Hummingbird Life span
Most hummingbirds unfortunately die during their first year but, those that do survive that first year have an average hummingbird life span of 3 to 4 years.
The longest recorded life span is from a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird that was tagged then recaptured 12 years later, making her at least 12 years old.
The oldest known surviving Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a banded bird that was 6 years 11 months old.
The oldest known hummingbird life span for a Rufous Hummingbird is a banded bird that was 8 years 1 month old.
Hummingbird Feeding Information
They will feed 5 to 8 times every hour for 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
The large portion of a hummingbirds diet is sugar which they get from flower nectar and tree sap. They also eat insects and pollen to get protein to build muscle.
They are also easily attracted to the Hummingbird nectar feeders.
My favorite feeder is the Hummzinger
It’s inexpensive and has several features that makes it well worth the price.
The HummZinger has patented Nectar guard tips which are flexible membranes attached to the feed ports that prohibit entry from flying insects, but allow Hummingbirds to feed as usual. The HummZinger also has a built in ant moat that will stop crawling insects from getting to the nectar. It also has raised flower ports that divert rain.
This mid-size nectar feeder has a 12 oz. capacity and can be hung or post mounted with hardware provided. It has four feeding ports for hummingbirds and is made of unbreakable polycarbonate. Easy to clean.
For ease of cleaning and protection from bees, wasps and ants, this feeder can’t be beat.
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism rate of any animal on earth. They have a high breathing rate, a high heart rate, and a high body temperature. To maintain all of this and to provide energy for flying they may consume anywhere from 2/3 to 3 times their body weight in food each day.
The Hummingbirds’ bills are long and tapered to match perfectly with the tubular shaped blooms on which they like to feed. Their tongue is grooved on the sides to collect nectar which they lap up at the rate of 13 licks per second.
They are very territorial and will perch in trees, vines or bushes, between feedings to watch the area….. and will attack other birds that might try to feed at their food source.
They are also very helpful in pollinating the plants on which they feed. There are some plants that are only pollinated by hummingbirds. As they lap up the nectar, pollen from the bloom is rubbed off onto the hummingbird, then carried to the next bloom as it continues to feed.
The hummingbird video:
Facts about the hummingbird, flowers to attract hummingbirds, tips on attracting hummingbirds, tips on hummingbird feeders, making hummingbird nectar, hanging feeders and keeping ants away from the hummingbird feeder and more interesting hummingbird facts.
Watch the video to see hundreds of hummingbirds feeding at the same time at Hummingbird’s Haven…….incredible!
Another video at Hummingbird’s Haven
The Hummingbird Sounds
The hummingbird sounds are of two types, vocalizations and the sounds their wings make.
Hummingbirds lack a true song. Most of their vocalizations consists of chirping hummingbird sounds.
Humming birds frequently vocalize to attract a mate or when they are excited.
They are named for the humming sound they make through the rapid movement of their wings, when they are in flight.
Hummingbird video with wing sounds
female Ruby-throated hummingbird sounds….you can really hear the hum of her wings as they beat about 60-80 times per second
Below is a video on the hummingbird sounds.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have analyzed the chirp made by male Anna’s hummingbirds as they swoop down towards a female.
More hummingbird sounds video:
A hummingbird (possibly a juvenile Anna’s) chirping
Colibri hummingbird chirping
Hummingbird torpor
Torpor is a hibernation-like state that the hummingbird can enter to help conserve energy.
While in a state of torpor, the humming bird will lower its body temperature by about 20 degrees and up to 50 degrees. This will help the bird conserve energy on cold nights or anytime that food might be scarce.
The next morning the bird can raise its metabolism and get its body temperature back to normal usually within a few minutes but, it can take up to an hour.
They can even lower their heart rate from 500 beats per minute to as few as 50.
Also to conserve energy, hummingbirds may even stop breathing for periods of time.
Even with all these energy conservation abilities, a cold night or difficulty locating enough food for a day, can prove to be fatal to the hummingbird.
Where do hummingbirds sleep?
They will find a tree in an area that offers some protection, where they will perch on a tree branch to sleep. Fir trees are trees that are thick and offer protection from the elements, that hummingbirds like to use. The hummingbird will grasp the branch with its feet and go into a state of torpor to help conserve energy while it sleeps.
While in this state of semi-hibernation the hummingbird will sometimes loosen its grasp just a little and will be found hanging upside down on the branch. They have also been found hanging upside down from feeders. When the sun comes out and warms them up though, they will resume their normal activities. Below you will find several sleeping hummingbird videos that show them hanging upside down in a state of torpor.
A video about torpor and where hummingbirds sleep
Another video about where hummingbirds sleep
Hummingbirds go into a state of torpor when they sleep (this one was hanging upside down outside our window for about 30 minutes). In this state of torpor, they become hypothermic, conserving 50 times less energy, have almost no pulse and only become alert when approached.
Migration Information
Untrue hummingbird facts: hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese.
Another of the untrue facts: keeping your feeders out too long in the fall will upset the hummingbirds’ normal migration pattern.
Their migration is causes by hormonal changes that take place within the hummingbird’s body. These hormonal changes are triggered by the changing length of daylight. Since it is the shorter hours of daylight in the fall that causes the hummingbirds to migrate, you don’t have to worry that keeping your feeders out too long in the fall will cause the birds to hang around and not migrate.
Many species of Hummingbirds that migrate to the United States must travel very long distances from Mexico and Central America to get here. Many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds must travel 2,000 miles to go from Panama to their destination in Canada.
One of the most incredible facts about hummingbirds is that this 2,000 mile journey will also include a500 mile non-stop flight to cross the Gulf of Mexico.
This video contains some interesting facts about hummingbird fall migration
Here’s another hummingbird migration article
The Hummingbird that travels the farthest north to breed is the Rufous hummingbird, that travels all the way to Alaska to breed. Click on the link, the hummingbird video, to view more hummingbird videos
Ready to connect with nature in an unforgettable way? Click on this link to access my FREE, quick, and easy video course on how to hand-feed your hummingbirds! 🦋🐦 Watch as these tiny, magical creatures come right to you – it’s easier than you think! Don’t miss out – start your journey today!” Click on this link to view my free quick and easy video course on how to hand feed your hummingbirds
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