Hummingbird General FAQs
Trochilidae Family
By Connie S. Soto
How did the Hummingbird get its
name?
The Hummingbird got their name
because of the unique humming sound they make with their wings during flight.
Where do Hummingbirds live?
Hummingbirds are resident only in
the
How many species of Hummingbirds
exist?
There is a little more than 325
Hummingbird species in the world.
How long does a Hummingbird live?
The life span of a Hummingbird in
captivity is between 15 and 17 years. In the wild they do not typically live as
long as in captivity.
Are home feeders helpful to the
Hummingbird population and what about backyard gardens?
Some Hummingbirds were declining
in the past but due to home feeders and more flowers planted in backyard
gardens across the
Do Hummingbirds help to pollinate
flowers?
Yes, Hummingbirds do help to
spread pollen from flower to flower.
How fast does heart of a little
Hummingbird beat?
A Hummingbird’s heart beat can
reach a maximum of about 1200 beats per minute.
Hummingbirds seem to be very
smart, is that true?
Yes, Hummingbirds are very smart;
in fact a Hummingbird has the largest brain in the bird world in proportion to
its body size.
Is it true that Hummingbirds are the
smallest birds in the world?
Yes, the Cuban Bee Hummingbird is
the smallest bird in the Trochilidae family and is considered the smallest bird
in the world. They are about
If the Cuban Bee Hummingbird is
the smallest bird in the world do they also produce the smallest bird egg in
the world?
Yes, that is true. The Cuban Bee
Hummingbird lays the tiniest egg of all the birds in the world.
Do Hummingbirds need a perch to
feed?
Providing a perch for Hummingbirds
to eat is advantageous to the bird as it helps them to conserve valuable
energy.
What is the largest Hummingbird
in the world?
The largest Hummingbird in the
world is a Patagona Gigas or more commonly called the Giant Hummingbird. It has
a size of about 8 ˝ inches and typically uses a perch when feeding.
Do Hummingbirds spend most of
their time searching for food?
No, I find it quite interesting
that Hummingbirds spend more than half of their time, preening, singing and
just plain hanging out. It is my belief the reason is that they watch to
protect their territory once it is staked out. The energy used is more
important for protecting the source than to hunt for new. This fact also
accounts for the early warning call of the Hummingbird when a hawk arrives in
the area. This early call typically comes before any other bird or birds
realize the hawk has arrived.
Does the Hummingbird have any
enemies?
Unfortunately they do have enemies;
these can include crows, frogs, jays, lizards, mice, roadrunners, snakes,
squirrels, and rats.
Is it true that a Hummingbird can
fly upside down?
Yes, it is true; a Hummingbird is
the only bird in the world that can fly upside down. The Hummingbird can hover
and fly forward, backward, up, down and upside down.
Is it true that Hummingbirds are
iridescent in color, are fearless in nature, and most are territorial?
Yes, absolutely, and they are also
one of the most popular.
