Hello dear ones,
Hummingbirds (Colibris) are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 3-5 in. (7.5-13 cm) range. They hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12-80 times per second (depending on the species).
To conserve energy while they sleep or when food is scarce, they have the ability to go into a hibernation-like state where their metabolic rate is slowed to 1/15th of its normal rate. When nights get colder, their body temperature can drop significantly and thus slow down their heart and breathing rate, thus burning much less energy overnight. As the day heats back up, the hummingbirds' body temperature will come back up and they resume their normal activity.
They can fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph (15 m/s; 54 km/h) they are also the only group of birds with the ability to fly back. Hummingbirds drink nectar, a sweet liquid inside certain flowers. Like bees, they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat; they reject flower types that produce nectar that is less than 10% sugar and prefer those whose sugar content is higher. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders.
Hummingbirds will also take sugar-water from feeders. Such feeders allow people (like me) to observe and enjoy hummingbirds up close while providing the birds with a reliable source of energy, especially when flower blossoms are less abundant. White granulated sugar is the best sweetener to use in hummingbird feeders. Here is the recipe: A ratio of 1 Cup of Sugar to 4 Cups of Water. Boiling and the cooling this mixture before use has been recommended to help deter the growth of bacteria.
Hummingbirds (Colibris) are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 3-5 in. (7.5-13 cm) range. They hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12-80 times per second (depending on the species).
They can fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph (15 m/s; 54 km/h) they are also the only group of birds with the ability to fly back. Hummingbirds drink nectar, a sweet liquid inside certain flowers. Like bees, they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat; they reject flower types that produce nectar that is less than 10% sugar and prefer those whose sugar content is higher. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders.
Hummingbirds will also take sugar-water from feeders. Such feeders allow people (like me) to observe and enjoy hummingbirds up close while providing the birds with a reliable source of energy, especially when flower blossoms are less abundant. White granulated sugar is the best sweetener to use in hummingbird feeders. Here is the recipe: A ratio of 1 Cup of Sugar to 4 Cups of Water. Boiling and the cooling this mixture before use has been recommended to help deter the growth of bacteria.
"If my love could be represented by a blur, it would be the beating of a hummingbird's wings."
~ Jarod Kintz
Can you tell that this are two different hummingbirds? The one below has red marks. Love them all!
Drink deeply of the nectar of life.
With love,
I'm joining . . .
Cindy for Show and Tell Friday
