HUMMINGBIRDS (some fun facts)

by Susan S

Here are some interesting facts pertaining to hummingbirds. Someone asked about when to stop feeding the hummers which has led to lengthy discussions so rather than tag-on to that one, I'd just let you muddle through here if you wanted!

hummingbirds some fun facts, 1 2 The ruby throated hummingbird flies 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during both its spring and fall migrations 3 Depending on the species habitat conditions predators and other factors the average lifespan of a wild hummingbird is 3 12 years 4 Hummingbirds have no sense of smell but have very keen eyesight 5 Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their long bills they lick it with fringed forked tongues 6 A hummingbird can lick 10 15 times per second while feeding 7 Hummingbirds digest natural sucrose in 20 minutes with 97 percent efficiency for converting the sugar into energy 8 Many hummingbird species including Anna s black chinned Allen s Costa s rufous calliope and broad tailed hummingbirds can breed together to create hybrid species one fact that makes identifying hummingbirds very challenging 9 The peak fall migration period for hummingbirds is from mid July through August or early September depending on the route 10 Despite their small size hummingbirds are one of the most aggressive bird species and will regularly attack jays crows and hawks that infringe on their territory 11 The bill of the aptly named sword billed hummingbird found in the Andes Mountains can reach up to 4 inches long 12 Hummingbirds are native species of the New World and are not found outside of the Western Hemisphere

1. 2. The ruby-throated hummingbird flies 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during both its spring and fall migrations. 3. Depending on the species, habitat conditions, predators and other factors, the average lifespan of a wild hummingbird is 3-12 years. 4. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell but have very keen eyesight. 5. Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their long bills, they lick it with fringed, forked tongues. 6. A hummingbird can lick 10-15 times per second while feeding. 7. Hummingbirds digest natural sucrose in 20 minutes with 97 percent efficiency for converting the sugar into energy. 8. Many hummingbird species, including Anna’s, black-chinned, Allen’s, Costa’s, rufous, calliope and broad-tailed hummingbirds, can breed together to create hybrid species, one fact that makes identifying hummingbirds very challenging. 9. The peak fall migration period for hummingbirds is from mid-July through August or early September, depending on the route. 10. Despite their small size, hummingbirds are one of the most aggressive bird species and will regularly attack jays, crows and hawks that infringe on their territory. 11. The bill of the aptly named sword-billed hummingbird, found in the Andes Mountains, can reach up to 4 inches long. 12. Hummingbirds are native species of the New World and are not found outside of the Western Hemisphere.

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2 of 22 comments

Sharon B on Nov 11, 2012
We all go thru it........I have been puttering and getting nothing done, so bad

1 Reply
Susan S on Nov 11, 2012
LOL!!

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