Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world with a long beak and wings. They are commonly native to the Americas and are found in tropical and subtropical regions. Hummingbirds have over 300 different species and they are known for their brightly coloured feathers. The name "Hummingbird" comes from the sound these birds make as they flap their wings. Their wings flap so fast that they create a humming noise. They can flap their wings up to 80/200 times per second. Hummingbirds can hover in the air and fly forward, backwards and even upside down. They feed on nectar from flowers using their long tongues and also eat small insects. Hummingbirds are important pollinators and help to spread the pollen of flowers as they fly from flower to flower. These birds are attracted to sweet smells and bright colours of red, pink, purple, orange or yellow, long tubular flowers, including the Coral honeysuckle, Jewelweed, Trumpet honeysuckle, Scarlet beebalm, Wild bergamont, Cardinal flower and Morning glory etc. The most common type of hummingbird is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Hummingbirds are a popular subject of folklore and legend. In many cultures, they are seen as symbols of good luck and happiness. In some Native American tribes, hummingbirds are believed to be the spirits of deceased warriors.
Hummingbird, hummer, hummingers, flying jewels and flower-sucker
Trochilidae
5-10 cm in length, wingspan 3-12 cm
2-20 gm
3-5 Year
Central America, North America, South America, The Caribbean
The scientific name of the hummingbird is "Trochilidae". Hummingbirds belong to the order Apodiformes, which means "unfooted birds". There are three families in this order:
Scientists have now identified approximately 325 species of hummingbirds belonging to the Trochilidae family. Trochilidae is derived from the Greek word "trokhilos", which means "small bird" or "little one". These tiny birds can be found in the Americas and many different parts of the world. They are the smallest birds in the world. With their vibrant feathers that shimmer with colour. They make a stunning addition to any backyard or nature setting.
Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most incredible creatures and are known for their amazing agility and unique features. Here are some amazing facts about these incredible birds:
As the smallest bird in the world, hummingbirds are popular backyard visitors across North, Central and South America. These nectar-loving birds are known for their aerial acrobatics, iridescent feathers, tiny bodies, long tongues and beaks. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds and each has its unique song and habits. Hummingbirds come in a variety of colours ranging from deep blues and brilliant greens to vibrant reds and purples to bright oranges, making them a stunning sight to behold. All species' feathers glimmer and when they catch the sunlight it gives them a truly remarkable look. Anna is a large hummingbird with rose-pink breasts and a greenback, ranging in length about 10 cm. Their adult males have an iridescent red head. The Costa’s hummingbird is another common species that has a purple-tinged throat and crown on males and a greenish throat on females. Hummingbirds' powerful wing muscles allow them to explore a variety of habitats which span about 3.7 to 4.5 cm. Their wings beat so quickly that they make a humming noise- hence their name. The average length of a hummingbird is only 7 to 10 cm long and weighs around 4 to 8 grams. In the United States, the smallest of these birds is the Calliope hummingbird which measures just over 7.5 cm long and the largest hummingbird is the blue-throated mountaingem which can grow nearly 12.8 cm long. Adult Broad-tailed Hummingbird males have a gorget (throat patch) of magenta. Native to the islands of Cuba in the Caribbean, the Bee hummingbird or Helena hummingbird (Mellisuga Helenae) is also known as the smallest bird on Earth nearly 5.5 cm in length and weighing just 1.6 grams and the largest hummingbird is the Giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) native of western South America, is only about 20 cm in length and weigh about 20 grams, less than that of most sparrows.
Anatomically, these small birds boast long, slender beaks that are specialized for suctioning up nectar from flowers. Their long tongues are specially designed with tiny hairs that help them lap up nectar from flowers. This adaptation helps them feed on an average of 2,000 flowers per day. Despite their small size, they are powerful flyers and can fly up to 60 miles per hour. Hummingbirds can also hover in mid-air by flapping their wings between 80 to 200 times per second. They can fly backwards, forwards, sideways and upside down. Their feet and legs are too weak for them to use for perching or walking. They have incredibly powerful hearts relative to their size and a hummingbird’s heart can beat up to 1260 times per minute. This enables these small birds to maintain high levels of activity all day long while consuming almost twice their body weight in nectar each day. With these impressive physical feats, hummingbirds also have an excellent sense of vision and hearing. Hummingbirds' vision allows them to see ultraviolet light that other animals cannot detect. They have an astonishing memory, as they can remember where flowers are located over long distances up to 1000 miles away. The vast majority of hummingbird's body weight is made up of this sweet liquid since it can make up anywhere between 10-25% of their entire body mass. Their variety of plumage is adapted for camouflage or mating rituals.
Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds in the animal kingdom on Earth. These tiny birds have wings that beat faster than any other bird, allowing them to hover mid-air and fly not only forward but also backwards and even upside down. Its wingspan is usually less than 20 cm across, which helps reduce air resistance during flight. The shape of its wings enables quick turns and sharp dives when catching prey or avoiding predators. Their strong wings beat up to 80 times per second allowing them to move quickly from flower to flower while they feed on nectar from flowers or other sources of food. This makes them incredibly aerodynamic and agile in flight, skillfully navigating their way through dense foliage as they search for food and places to rest.
In addition to wings, hummingbirds also have long slender beaks that are specially designed for extracting food from flowers like tubular flowers where hard to reach by insects or spiders. Their beaks come in various shapes and sizes depending on where they live and what type of food sources are available for them to eat. Their thin bills curve downwards and can catch nectar from flowers with maximum efficiency thanks to their brush-like-tongues which are very precise as well, they use them like tiny brushes as they lap up sweet nectar from within the blossoms enabling them to feed quickly whilst on the move. The beak is shaped like a straw so that this bird can reach deep into flowers and draw out nectar without causing damage or wasting any of the precious liquid.
Hummingbirds remain one of the most beloved and well-known birds in North America. These small, colourful birds can be found in a wide variety of habitats from tropical forests and deserts to savannahs and scrublands to rural and urban areas to suburban areas and inland wetlands. Hummingbirds are especially common in open areas with plenty of flowers. They are usually found near water and in a variety of climates. Hummingbirds often perch on top of flowers to drink nectar. They are migratory and can be seen flying South during the winter months.
Hummingbirds have a wide range of distribution, found in all parts of the world except Antarctica. They are most common in North America, Central America and South America. These birds also live in tropical forests, savannahs, scrublands and inland wetlands in Africa, southern Asia, the Middle East and northern Australia. Hummingbirds have been spotted as far North as Canada and as far South as Argentina and from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds all over the world and there are more than 20 species of hummingbirds in North America. The Anna is a large hummingbird that is found along the West coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico and inland to Arizona. The smallest hummingbird is the Bee hummingbird which is found in Cuba and the largest hummingbird is the Giant hummingbird found in South America.
The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) recognizes these 366 hummingbird species in the family Trochilidae and distributes them among 112 genera. One extinct species known only from a 19th-century specimen, Brace's emerald, is included.
The Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common in eastern North America and the world. Other common hummingbirds are the,
Less common species are the,
The Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a marvel of aerial acrobatics and stunning beauty and is a gem of North America's avian repertoire. These quick little birds have bright emerald green plumage on the back of the head down to the tail and an iridescent ruby throat that glimmers in the sunlight. The male's striking ruby throat serves as a captivating beacon during mating season, drawing females near with dazzling displays of aerial agility. Weighing less than a dime, this tiny bird measures just 7 to 10 cm long yet exhibits an immense presence in its environment. Its unique ability to manage rapid wing beats—up to 80 flaps per second—enables it to navigate gracefully between flowers, showcasing superb agility. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are vital pollinators, primarily drawn to bright flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine and salvia that offer sweet nectar as a reward for their efforts. They also eat spiders and small insects like flies, gnats and aphids. Interestingly, they have an extraordinary ability to remember precise locations of food sources over time—a cognitive skill thought to be unique among birds. These hummingbirds are known for their remarkable migratory journeys, travelling up to 3,000 miles from North America to Central America each year. It migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed and spends its winters in Florida, Mexico and Central America.
Hummingbirds are the smallest known and smallest living avian theropod dinosaurs. The iridescent colours and highly specialized feathers of many species (mainly in males) give some hummingbirds exotic common names, such as sun gem, fairy, woodstar, sapphire or sylph. Every hummingbird's shape includes a small streamlined body, long wings and a long, thin bill. A hummingbird's most distinguishing physical feature is its needle-like bill. Many hummingbirds have brightly coloured, glittery feathers. Often the males are more colourful than the females. The birds are named for the humming sound made by the rapid beating of their wings.
The Americas are home to 365 species of hummingbirds. Fifteen types of hummingbirds can be found living in the United States, along with nine vagrant species that occasionally wander inside the borders. Hummingbirds are found only in the Western Hemisphere, with almost half the species living in the "equatorial belt" between 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Fewer than two dozen species venture into the U.S. and Canada, and only a few species remain year-round. South America is best for most dazzling hummingbirds. Colombia wins first prize with 165 species. Many of these birds are endemic to tiny areas.
Hummingbirds are omnivorous birds but they have a diet like no other. These small birds have an appetite for nectar, insects and spiders that help fuel their active lifestyle. They can consume up to twice their body weight in food each day. Hummingbirds can hover in mid-air thanks to their unique wings and can use their long beaks with long tongues to lap up liquids and get the nectar they need from flowers. They also consume pollen and even small fruits.
Hummingbirds also eat aphids and other sap-sucking pests that damage plant foliage. These birds eat an array of sugary, variety of insects including, mosquitos, wasps, gnats, moths and flies which they catch while in mid-air flight or on flowers. They will take advantage of pre-killed insect prey which is often found around bird feeders. Hummingbirds also look for protein sources like small tree frogs, lizards or giant insects like bees or butterflies. These little birds enjoy snatching them off leaves or branches with remarkable accuracy. During mating season males will sometimes hunt other flying insects such as beetles or gnats for sustenance.
They have adapted to different climates by changing their diets accordingly. They may feed mostly on insects during the summer months when flowers are not in bloom and when flowers begin to blossom again they switch back to their preferred diet of nectar, berries, pollen, minerals and fruit juice. Hummingbirds must consume large quantities of food throughout the day. To do this they often visit thousands of flowers per day in search of nectar or hover over open spaces looking for prey. Hummingbirds require both to survive since nectar provides them with carbohydrates while the protein found in insects helps them develop strong wings and feathers to take off quickly.
Hummingbirds are very curious creatures. Despite their small size, they are powerful flyers. They can fly up to 60 miles per hour and hover in mid-air. Hummingbirds also can fly forwards, backwards, sideways and upside down. They are attracted to bright colours and sweet smells. They have the fastest metabolism of any animal on earth. This means that they have to eat constantly just to keep up their energy levels and maintain a body temperature of up to 30°C higher than other birds. This allows them to consume over four times as much nectar each day half their body weight as compared to their counterparts. These small birds are fierce predators also. They feed on small insects from flowers. Hummingbirds have been known to take down prey that is much larger than they are. They use their long slender beak for defence against predators.
Hummingbirds are mostly solitary but some species are very social and territorial. They live in large colonies (Charm). The males will often fight other males that come into their territory. The females build nests and lay eggs. The young hatch after about 2 weeks. Hummingbirds spend most of their time flying and searching for food. While most birds feed on insects or seeds, hummingbirds primarily eat nectar from deep inside the flower. In return for their meals, hummingbirds help pollinate plants as they move from flower to flower. So they are very important to the ecosystem. They also feed on small insects which helps to control pests. Hummingbirds can be found in many parts of the world in different habitats.
The reproduction process of hummingbirds is unlike any other bird species. When a pair of hummingbirds decide to mate, the female hummingbird is solely responsible for building the nest, laying eggs, incubating them and raising her young. The female will construct a small cup-shaped nest out of soft materials such as twigs, moss, spider silk and lichens that she has gathered from her environment. She builds this nest high up in tree branches or bushes where it is safe from predators. The female then lays 2 to 5 white eggs each clutch incubated for 15-20 days until they hatch into tiny babies called chicks or nestlings weighing only 0.04 ounces.
Once the chicks hatch, the mother hummingbird feeds them with nectar which is regurgitated through her bill into the chicks’ mouths. After about 2 weeks of being fed by their mother, they also stay with their mother until they get their adult feathers and learn how to fly on their own. These babies can grow to maturity in as little as three weeks. This tiny bird is capable of producing up to two broods of chicks each season. On average, hummingbirds live between 3-5 years in the wild, although some have been known to reach up to 10 years old.
Despite their small size hummingbirds face a variety of predators and threats. The most common predators for hummingbirds are cats and the other predators that threaten the well-being of hummingbirds include larger birds like jays, crows, owls, hawks, snakes, rodents, some larger species of insects like wasps, beetles and even more giant spiders. These animals and birds often hunt adult hummingbirds or raid nests for eggs or nestlings as an easy snack or snatch up a hummingbird as prey or scare them away from their feeders.
Hummingbirds also face threats from climate change, such as extreme temperatures that can cause dehydration or a lack of food sources due to shifting weather patterns. Additionally, a human can unintentionally threaten their habitats when they develop land or introduce pesticides into the environment. There are also non-predator threats that can greatly reduce the number of hummingbirds that survive each year. These include drought or extreme weather conditions and pollution. These threats are especially concerning since hummingbirds play a critical role in pollinating plants that provide food for both humans and wildlife alike.
Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved avain species in North America. Amazingly, hummingbirds have an impressive population with estimates of more than 200 to 300 species and between 5-8 million individuals hummingbirds across the continent. Hummingbirds have adapted to many different climates and environments, ranging from tropical forests to deserts. The majority of these small birds migrate seasonally as far north as Canada or Alaska for the summer to breed and spend their winters in Florida or Mexico to Central America and back again each year. Each year, millions of these tiny birds migrate thousands of miles to warmer climates during the winter months.
Hummingbirds are not only a marvel of nature due to their extraordinary agility and vibrant colours, but they also play an important role in our ecosystems.
The sight of a hummingbird can evoke feelings of peace and connection to nature; their iridescent feathers shine like jewels in sunlight, serving as reminders of the beauty that exists around us and encouraging mindfulness in our everyday lives.
The hummingbird, often overshadowed by larger, more exotic creatures in zoo exhibits, offers a breathtaking glimpse into the complexities of nature’s design. With their iridescent feathers shimmering like precious jewels under the sunlight, these tiny avian wonders are not just a feast for the eyes but also a marvel of evolution. In an environment designed to mimic their natural habitat, observing their unique feeding strategy—hovering delicately in front of vibrant blossoms and deftly extracting nectar with their specialized beaks—reminds us that beauty often lies in small packages.
Zoo environments play a crucial role in education and conservation, allowing guests to witness these delicate creatures while highlighting their ecological importance. The hummingbirds demonstrate the vital role they play in pollination—their precise movements facilitating life cycles from flower to fruit. Zoos also provide an invaluable opportunity to study hummingbirds up close while raising awareness about environmental conservation. Many species face threats from habitat destruction and climate change, making captive breeding programs critical for their survival. By educating visitors on these challenges, zoos play a pivotal role in fostering a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Engaging with these captivating birds inspires many to become stewards of nature, cultivating gardens that attract and support local wildlife—even when far removed from their native habitats. The experience transforms mere observation into a personal commitment to protect not just the hummingbirds in the zoo but all creatures facing similar struggles outside its walls.
Hummingbirds, with their iridescent feathers and astonishing flight abilities, belong to the family Trochilidae. This exquisite avian family comprises over 300 different species, showcasing an extraordinary diversity in size, colour and behaviour. These avian marvels are primarily classified into two subfamilies: the Trochilinae (the true hummingbirds) or more commonly known hummingbirds and the Phaethornithinae (the hermits) or lesser-known groups like the hermit hummingbirds. Their classification is primarily based on physical characteristics and migratory patterns; for instance, the methodical distinctions between the Trochilinae subfamily—which includes common varieties like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird—and the less familiar Phaethornithinae subfamily emphasizes their varied feeding behaviours and habitat preferences.
The evolutionary history of hummingbirds is intricately linked to the rich floral diversity of their habitats; as certain flowers evolved to become more tubular or vibrant in colour—attracting specific hummingbird species—these birds simultaneously adapted to develop specialized tongues and hovering capabilities, allowing them to extract nectar from these blooms delicately and become proficient pollinators. This mutualistic relationship has not only shaped diverse flower types but also cultivated different hummingbird traits like varied bill shapes and sizes suited for accessing different nectar sources. In essence, each fluttering creature carries within its DNA a rich narrative of plant and bird symbiosis that showcases nature's remarkable interconnectedness and ingenuity.
Hummingbirds, with their iridescent plumage and lightning-fast wings, have always held a special allure for humans. Beyond mere fascination, our relationship with these tiny marvels is steeped in cultural symbolism and ecological significance. In many Indigenous traditions, hummingbirds symbolize joy, love and the importance of nurturing our environment. They are also seen as messengers of good fortune. These tiny marvels have inspired countless cultures through their vibrant colours and remarkable agility, leading to myths and legends that celebrate their unique qualities.
As pollinators, they play an essential role in maintaining biodiversity, making them pivotal allies in sustaining the ecosystems we all rely on. By cultivating gardens rich in nectar-producing native plants that attract these tiny aviators, people create sanctuaries for these birds, fostering a relationship grounded in mutual benefit rather than mere observation.
Moreover, hummingbirds symbolise resilience and adaptability, qualities that resonate deeply with humanity’s struggles. Their remarkable abilities to thrive in diverse environments—from tropical rainforests to suburban backyards—hover mid-air and swiftly change direction—mirrors our quest for survival amid changing climates and urban expansion and also inspires the idea of resilience—a reminder to embrace life's challenges with grace and agility. This relationship urges us to reflect on our responsibility as stewards of the planet; when we nurture spaces conducive to hummingbird habitation, we also promote holistic growth within our communities.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists 34 hummingbird species as threatened or near threatened with extinction. Habitat destruction and degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, mining activities and urban sprawl are the primary causes of this population decline. Additionally, invasive plants introduced by humans can threaten food resources essential for hummingbird survival such as flowers and nectar-producing plants. Climate change is also playing a role in stressing out these hummingbirds by altering migration patterns and seasonal temperatures needed by some species to thrive. To protect these unique creatures is important for us to take steps like planting native flowers in our gardens or supporting conservation efforts in areas where hummingbird populations are declining.
Hummingbirds and sunbirds, although superficially similar in their vibrant colours and nectar-drinking habits, embody striking differences in behaviour and ecological niches.