10 amazing facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds
While we eagerly await the spring return of hummingbirds, here are 10 mindboggling facts about the ruby-throated species, compiled from Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s allaboutbirds.org website; “Birds of Wisconsin” book by Stan Tekiela; and Cynthia Bridge, master permitted hummingbird bander and founder of the Western Great Lakes Hummingbird Project.
1. The wings of a ruby-throated hummingbird move about 55 times a second. When flying forward, this increases to 75 times a second.
2. Hummingbirds can fly up, down, sideways and hover in midair. It is the only bird that can fly backward.
3. Their tiny hearts beat while resting about 225 beats per minute. While flying or hovering it increases to 1,250 beats per minute. By comparison, the human heart averages around 70 beats per minute.
4. Males weigh roughly the same as a penny.
5. Nest size is about that of a walnut half, usually built in a tree. Females will lay two tiny eggs.
6. Male hummingbirds return first in spring to establish mating territory; they often assertively fly at, chase and vocalize to each other to defend their feeders and flowers.
7. Hummingbirds, like many birds, have good color vision and can see into the ultraviolet spectrum colors invisible to humans.
8. Hummingbirds are one of the strongest migrators in the bird kingdom. Some ruby throated hummingbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop, which is over 500 miles and takes 18 hours. Leaving feeders up past Labor Day will not alter their migration or cause them to stay. The bird’s decision to migrate is based on weather, their own physical ability and hormones. Hummingbirds that are late to migrate or for other reasons need extra help will benefit from fresh nectar left out in late fall and well into winter.
9. Causes of death include starvation, lack of appropriate habitat and predators, among other reasons. The blue jay is its most frequent nest predator.
10. The oldest ruby-throated hummingbird, a banded female, lived at least nine years.