by Tessa Dick

Created on: October 28, 2008

They Fly Backwards: Hummingbirds

One of my fondest childhood memories is of watching the hummingbirds through the picture window at my grandfather's house in Laguna Beach, California. The tiny, ruby-throated birds with green backs and wings presented a picture of beauty and impossible aerobatics when they hovered in the air, sucking sweet nectar out of the flowers, and then flew backward in search of new sources of food. They can turn completely around without seeming to move, and they can even fly upside down!

When I put out my own hummingbird feeder in this small mountain community, I expected to see the same colorful little birds coming by for a drink.
I was surprised to find that our hummingbirds are larger and far less colorful,; their feathers are plain brown.
However, they do perform the same air show as their smaller cousins.

You don't have to be an expert to enjoy watching these pretty little creatures, but learning more about them can foster a deeper appreciation for them.

These tiny creatures are also useful. They can help to rid your garden of harmful insects, while pollinating the flowers.

About Hummingbirds

The Hummingbird Society states that there are 328 species of hummingbird, and that 28 of those species are endangered. Hummingbird World describes 17 species of hummingbirds:

Ruby-Throated; Allen's; Anna's; Berylline; Black-Chinned; Blue-Throated; Broad-Billed; Broad-Tailed; Buff-Bellied; Costa's; Calliope; Lucifer; Magnificent; Rufous; Starthroat; Violet-Crowned; White-Eared.

You can learn more at their web site. The link is in the references at the end of this article.

Hummingbirds can weigh anywhere between 2 and 20 grams, which is very small. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they can be found in almost any habitat in the western hemisphere. They are not found in other parts of the world.

We most often see them drinking nectar from flowers or from feeders that people put out, but they also eat insects and small spiders. They use their long, slender beaks and extensible tongues to reach into flowers and drink the nectar at the bottom of the blossom.

Their method of flight is very inefficient, so they need huge amounts of food to keep them alive. They often consume an amount of nectar equal to or even twice their body weight every day.
While flying, they rotate the entire wing, without flexing their wrist or hand joints. Compared to other birds, they have very short hands and very long fingers.

Adult males usually have very bright, colorful

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