Fun Hummingbird Facts

 

There are over 300 species of hummingbirds.  Most are found in South America.

 

Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas.

 

More than 15 species of hummingbirds breed in the United States.

 

Hummingbirds chirp, they do not sing.

 

A hummingbird's heart beats over 1200 times per minute.

 

At rest, a hummingbird will take over 250 breaths per minute.

 

Hummingbirds can barely walk.

 

A penny weighs 2.5 grams, a hummingbird weighs 2-20 grams.

 

Female hummingbirds are typically larger than males.

 

Hummingbirds do not mate for life.

 

Female hummingbirds do all of the nest building and raising of the young.

 

Hummingbirds average life span:  5 years.

 

Wing beats per second:  70+

 

Hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly both forward and backwards.

 

Average flight speed:  25-30 mph.

 

It takes 20 hours for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird to fly across the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The Rufous Hummingbird migrates from Canada to Mexico.

 

A hummingbird will visit 1,000 flowers per day.

 

Hummingbirds need to eat 7 or more times per hour.

 

When sleeping, hummingbirds go into torpor - a state of hibernation.

 

Hummingbirds in torpor have a heart rate of 50 or fewer beats per minute.

 

A hummingbird's instinct to migrate is stronger than a food source - your hummingbird

feeder will not stop a hummingbird from migrating.

 

Hummingbird Nectar - mix 1 part plain white sugar to 4 parts of boiling water.  Let the

nectar cool before using.  Extra nectar can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 7 days.

 

Keep the hummingbirds safe!  Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned and refilled

with fresh nectar every 3-4 days.