Hummingbirds - Curiosity Topic - English

~Hummingbird~

My new curiosity is hummingbirds. For quite a while, I've wondered about them. How can they flap their wings SO fast? What is their job? How many of them are there? I wondered about these small creatures, and I found my answers.

Basic Information

Hummingbirds are very interesting animals. They get their name from the humming sound they make when they flap their wings. It must sound like a swarm of bees. They collect their nectar by rubbing their forehead in each flower, pollinating them.

Hummingbirds' Wings

Did you know that the Giant Hummingbirds can flap their wings 10 to 15 times a second? The most recorded amount was 80 beats per second! It was an Amethyst Wood-star hummingbird. North American hummingbirds have an average of 53 beats per second in a normal flight.

They flap their wings so fast so they can fly up, down, sideways, forwards and backwards. But they don't flap their wings as fast as a bee, bees can flap their wings up to 230 beats a second!

If you see a hummingbird, their wings appear as a blur.

Hummingbird Species

Hummingbirds are only found in the Western Hemisphere. From southeastern Alaska to southern Chile, there are more than 300 species of hummingbirds. 12 of which live in North America in summer, and winter (in tropical areas).

How Long Do Hummingbirds Live For?

The life expectancy of a hummingbird is 3 - 5 years. 

Predators of the Hummingbird

Hummingbirds have a quite a few predators, all listed below:

• Sharp-shinned Hawks
• Praying Mantids
• Largemouth Bass
• Green Frogs
• Bull Frogs
• Orb-weaving Spiders

All of these predators have killed or eaten the hummingbird. That's a lot of predators to watch out for little hummingbird! 

How Fast Can Hummingbirds Fly?

Hummingbirds have been known to fly up to 79km/h while diving. For a little bird that's fast.

They can also fly BACKWARDS at 30mph! 

 

The reason hummingbirds fly all of the time is that their small little legs are so weak they prefer to fly. I would too if I could fly all of the time. Hummingbirds give of the effect they are excited all of the time. They zip around in all different directions all the time they must love smelling flowers. Lol.

I enjoyed learning about hummingbirds, THEY ARE JUST SO FLIPPING CUTE! Look at it!