Here in the mountains of North Carolina, I spotted my first hummingbird last weekend. As I sat on the deck reading, she buzzed right past me. Close enough to whisper in my ear. To me, hummingbirds are tiny messengers of hope and resilience.
Here are 10 Fun Facts I pulled from kaytee.com, where I also found the photograph. (I edited the facts to be short-and-sweet in some instances.)
1. They are the smallest migrating bird. They don’t migrate in flocks like other species, and they typically travel alone for up to 500 miles at a time.
2. The name, hummingbird, comes from the humming noise their wings make as they beat so fast.
3. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
4. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell. While they can’t sniff out feeders, they do have good color vision.
5. The average weight of a hummingbird is less than a nickel.
6. Their tiny legs are only used for perching and moving sideways while perched. They can’t walk or hop.
7. Hummingbirds drink the nectar found in feeders by moving their tongue in and out about 13 times per second. They can consume up to double their body weight in a day.
8. The average number of eggs laid by female hummingbirds is only two. These eggs have been found in nests smaller than a half dollar and compare in size to a jellybean or a coffee bean.
9. A flock of hummingbirds can be referred to as a bouquet, a glittering, a hover, a shimmer, or a tune. (I love this!)
10. There are over 330 species of hummingbirds in North and South America.
Do you have hummingbirds where you live? Tell us a hummingbird story.
Love,
Susan
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Read yesterday’s post here.
I do have hummingbirds where i live, in Canada…whenever one appears, i feel as if i have been given a gift…They are so delicate and lovely !! I have no interesting story…just an appreciation for these wonders of nature…Thanks for the reminder.
Kathy
From Canada
Hi Kathy. Greetings to you in Canada! I feel like they are a gift, too. May you spot one of these delicate and love creatures soon!
All the best,
Susan