HUMMINGBIRD FACTS
Hummingbirds are one of the most interesting birds! Here are some fun facts about these little birds:
- Bee hummingbirds are the tiniest of all birds, weighing less than an ounce and measuring only 2 inches long.
- Their brightly-colored, iridescent feathers and quick movements make them appear as living sun catchers—hence their nickname, flying jewels.
- Hummingbirds have the unique ability to fly in any direction, even backward, with their wings beating up to a blurring 80 beats per second.
- Plus, they can hover in midair when sipping nectar from brightly–colored flowers with their long, slender beaks.
- While whizzing about the garden, hummingbirds expend so much energy that they must eat at least half their body weight each day to replace the calories that they burn up. This means eating almost constantly—from sunrise to sunset—and visiting over a thousand flowers every day.
- You can hear the call of a ruby-throated hummingbird here.
- Learn more about hummingbirds here.
If you’re a fan of hummingbirds, you probably like to see other birds flying around your garden, too. Explore these tips for a bird-friendly garden.
Do you have hummingbirds or other birds in your garden? Let us know in the comments below!