Carol DM
When I saw that today’s letter for the Birds of the Alphabet was “H”, I knew exactly what bird to talk about.
HUMMINGBIRD
Snapped this photo from my deck feeder. Love seeing these tiny birds that will fit in your hand.
While reading about hummingbirds over the years, as well as observing from my deck, I have learned a lot about these incredible birds.
- A hummingbird’s brilliant throat color is not caused by feather pigmentation, but rather by iridescence in the arrangement of the feathers. Light level, moisture, angle of viewing, wear and tear, and other factors all influence just how bright and colorful the throat may appear.
- Hummingbirds cannot walk or hop, though their feet can be used to scoot sideways while they are perched. These birds have evolved smaller feet to be lighter for more efficient flying. They will use their feet for itching and preening.
- Hummingbirds have 1,000 to 1,500 feathers, the fewest number of feathers of any bird species in the world. Not only do they not need as many feathers because of their tiny size, but fewer feathers also keeps them more lightweight for easier flight.
- Roughly 25 to 30 percent of a hummingbird’s weight is in its pectoral muscles. These are the broad chest muscles principally responsible for flying.
- An average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute. In comparison, a human’s average heart rate is only 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest.
Photo ©CarolDM All Rights Reserved
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Have hummingbirds in your world?
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Yes
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No
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i knew Hummingbirds would be H!!!
love the picture and the facts. I have learned so much about birds simply reading your posts. Thank you so much!!!
How could it not be about hummingbirds after all, right! Glad you are reading and learning.
i am, it could have been hawks but hummingbirds are much cuter!
I thought the same thing as I looked over the list.
well there you go great minds thinks alike…
Hummingbirds are just the cutest ever. I have not seen one in Florida but I did see one or two in Latvia. In Latvian, the bird is known as Kolibri.
Yes I have to agree. They are so fun to watch from my window and screen room. I have seen that name when I do research. Very cool.
Thanks for sharing interesting information. We don’t have these birds so I didn’t know much about these birds.
You are welcome, love all types of birds.
You are moving right along. We have them but for a very short season.
You are the lucky recipient of random comment number 117 “The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence.” —Norman Vincent Peale
Trying to stay in the groove here. Love the peace quote.
yea a NVP quote. I’ve been waiting for one. I almost have a complete collection now!!!@
And an excellent quote I might add.