The world of birds is filled with many fascinating species. One of these has got to be the hummingbird.
There are around 300 species of the hummingbird. Each of these is small, but the tiniest of them all is the Bee Hummingbird. This little fella only measures 1 to 2.4 inches long (about the size of a bee).
Want to learn more humdinger hummingbird facts?
Did you know?
- Hummingbirds beat their wings extremely fast when they are hovering. It ranges from 720 beats-per-minute all the way up to 5,400 beats-per-minute!
- The hummingbird is the only species of bird that can fly backward
- Hummingbirds got their name from the sound their beating wings make – they hum.
- When hummingbirds fly in the rain, they dispel the droplets by violently shaking their heads. They can shake their heads up to 132 times per second!
- The hummingbird has no sense of smell.
- When the hummingbird migrates, it flies up to 20 hours a day non-stop. They must fly over the Gulf of Mexico for 500 miles.
- The Rufous Hummingbird has the longest migration. It must travel 3,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico where it will spend the winter months.
- This little bird must eat a lot. On an average day, a hummingbird will consume double its body weight in nectar.
- A hummingbird eats by protracting and contracting its tongue. It does this around 13 times per second.
- The female hummingbird only lays two eggs each season. Her eggs are smaller than jelly beans.
- The average Ruby-throated Hummingbird weighs 3 grams – a nickel weighs 4.5 grams!
Isn’t the hummingbird one fascinating creature? Tell us your thoughts about this little bird in the comments section.
Where’s the Hummer Hiding?
Can you spot the hummingbird in this picture? He’s trying to stay very still!