Put 2 paper clips in your hand. This is the weight of your average Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Hummingbirds are pretty incredible birds. But I don't have to tell you that. You know how amazing they are. The Hummers that zip around our gardens and parks spend their winter in Mexico and Central America. How they make back and forth between their breeding grounds and their wintering grounds is a true feat of nature. I was lucky enough to hear a UConn Grad Student in the Ornithology Department present on his findings regarding Hummes and their evolution. There's a link below to his findings and they are extraordinary!
The talk focused on their tongues and beaks as tools to maximize their consumption of nectar. In fact, most of the hummingbird seems to be geared towards getting the maximum amount of nectar. Their flying agility is unparalleled but they are themselves very rigid. Males leave females to care for the brood all on their own. Females will build their nests near raptor nests to maximize protection. Its worth nothing here that only 1 raptor is known to enjoy hunting and eating hummers, the Bat Falcon of South America. Hummers are truly amazing animals!
What's your favorite Hummer experience? Share in the comments below. Until the next time, get outside and go birding!
Nature's Magic In The Air Documentary - Link here
UConn's Work on Hummingbirds- Link here
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at All About Birds - Link here
I actually saw this bird Jesus in Maine!!! We don't get them here in Arizona but we get all the other ones:) It was a treat observing a pair feeding from my friend's feeders.
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