Hummingbird is not only the smallest bird on our planet, but also one of the most beautiful creatures created by nature. An amazing creature impresses with its lifestyle and determined disposition. But let's find out a little more about this miniature bird.
Tiny size
There are many (about 330) species of hummingbirds. Among the representatives of this order, one can find birds whose sizes are more reminiscent of large insects than birds. For example, the statement that the smallest hummingbird weighs 20 g is erroneous, because a very miniature species, which was called the bee hummingbird, boasts representatives weighing about 2 g.
These crumbs are found mainly in Cuba and reach sizes of less than 7 cm, while the largest hummingbirds in existence can grow up to 22 cm.
As a rule, measurements are taken from the tip of the beak to the extreme point of the tail. Most of the representatives of these small birds live on the North American continent. They can be found not only in tropical and subtropical climates,but also in Alaska. Their favorite habitats are gardens, meadows, fields. Hummingbirds include both resident and migratory birds. The latter include the ruby-headed hummingbird and the red fire-bearer; they spend the winter in Mexico. Unfortunately, these crumbs are not found on the territory of our continent. Even the hummingbird is not found in Udmurtia, where you can meet another small bird called the kingfisher. She is also small and has an emerald color, so they are often confused.
Coloring
Hummingbird is a bird with a unique color, its plumage is very beautiful and resembles precious stones. When exposed to direct sunlight, bright feathers shimmer, as if changing their color. That is why the bird is often given names associated with precious stones (for example: “topaz hummingbird”, “emerald neck”, “fiery topaz, “flying amethyst”). Agree, very poetic nicknames.
Family Life
Hummingbird nests are weaved from blades of grass, cobwebs, hairs and pieces of bark. The size of the "home" depends on the size of the bird itself. Some nests are cup-sized, while others are walnut shells.
In such a "house" a hummingbird lays 2 eggs, the size of which is no larger than a pea. The diameter of the eggs is only 12 mm, the weight is no more than 0.5 g.
I must say that a hummingbird is a very brave and courageous bird, in case of danger it fearlessly defends its chicks and swiftly flies to the enemy. Desperate mother sticks her sharp beak in the nose or eyeattacker.
It is noteworthy that hummingbirds do not form pairs. On the female cavity lies the care of the offspring. At the same time, she remains alone, from the moment the nest is built until the chicks are fed.
Food
Hummingbird is a bird whose description of life is somewhat different from our usual idea of the way of life of birds. First of all, it is interesting that the main food for them is nectar, which they extract on their own from flowers. Hummingbirds are able, as it were, to hover in the air above a flower, making up to 80 flaps of their wings in one second. Such an intense flight takes a lot of strength and energy, so, if possible, the birds sit on the flower to drink the nectar.
However, it is wrong to believe that this is the only food for these birds. For many species of hummingbirds, the main food (for some of them even exceptional) is small insects. Sometimes they eat captive webs.
Hummingbird is a bird that spends a huge amount of energy during the flight, so it has to eat often. During the period of activity, meals occur every 10 minutes. It turns out that in a day these crumbs eat an amount of food that exceeds the weight of their own body by weight.
Flying style
Another interesting feature of this tiny creature is that the hummingbird is a bird capable of maneuvering backwards. No other representative of birds in the world can do such a flight. Scientists have determined that the flight musclesbirds make up approximately 25-30% of its total weight. The ability to move up and down and back is provided by a special wing design. Usually the wings of birds are connected from the shoulders, elbow and wrist, while in hummingbirds they are attached only from the shoulders. All this allows them to quickly accelerate, hover in the air, land vertically, and during mating courtship develop a wing flapping speed of up to a hundred per second.
Hummingbird has a big and strong heart. It occupies almost half of the cavity of her body, and its size is three times larger than its own stomach. The heart rate is also impressive - 1000-1200 beats per minute.
Important biological function
By the way, feeding on nectar, hummingbirds perform one of the most significant biological roles - they pollinate flowers. The fact is that a number of flowers have such a structure that only this tiny bird can pollinate them. Interestingly, the shape of a flower, most often pollinated by a particular species of hummingbird, is directly related to the structural features of the bird's beak. That is, for different species of hummingbirds, their beak shapes are characteristic. So, if the flower is flat, then in a bird it should be short. From long inflorescences similar to a funnel, you can get nectar only with the help of a narrow elongated beak.
The sword beak has the longest beak (up to 10 cm). Its dimensions exceed almost twice the total length of the bird.
In addition, this organ of a hummingbird has other features, for example, a significantly forked tongue, a bristleless base. Such individual differencesallow this bird to protrude its tongue from its mouth much further than other birds.
Migration to cold lands
Some hummingbirds migrate to the mountainous rock formations located in Canada while the snow cover has not yet melted. At the same time, the temperature of the laid eggs is successfully maintained by the birds at the level of 25 degrees. This is warmer than the ambient temperature. How does it happen?
The fact is that the hummingbird is a bird that easily adapts to fairly low temperatures thanks to the unique feather barrier. They have the largest number of feathers per inch of their body compared to other birds (excluding representatives of large species). In addition, hummingbirds are able to lower their metabolism to a state of lethargic sleep in order to conserve energy. Before they migrate, they accumulate a significant amount of fat. Thus, it makes up 72% of the total weight of the bird. It is not possible for every bird to accumulate such an amount of energy reserve, because this requires a special adjustment of physiological mechanisms. Scientists have found that the hummingbird has the most metabolically active liver in the world. Another important feature is the high rate of glucose delivery. This is an invaluable characteristic for a living being whose main food is nectar.
Memory
Another interesting feature of hummingbirds is their ability to remember. Scientists have found that the birdwhen re-flying around the flowers, it avoids those that it has devastated to the end. However, it returns to those plants where there is still nectar left. This is a surprising fact, since the brain of the studied hummingbird (reddish brown) is about the size of a grain of rice. However, this does not prevent her from using his powers.
Hummingbirds are truly unique creatures. They differ from other birds in structure, lifestyle, plumage, and, most importantly, size. Not a single bird that looks like a hummingbird in appearance can compare with it in other parameters, such as flight speed. Therefore, for many years it has been of particular interest to nature lovers.
You might be wondering how much a hummingbird costs, a bird that is truly unique. However, if you're looking to buy one, it's best to think carefully, as a hummingbird, like any other wildlife, needs the freedom to live a fulfilling life. Proper conditions for them can only be created in natural parks. In addition, providing proper nutrition will not be easy.
