5 Things You Didn’t Know About Hummingbirds

by UC Davis Staff
April 22, 2015

This #EarthDay, we’re recognizing the littlest creatures making the BIGGEST impact: hummingbirds. Did you know hummingbirds can indicate overall environment health? You do now. For more, check out: bit.ly/1QjzBY0

1. More than 160 native North American plants depend exclusively on hummingbirds for pollination.

A hummingbird sitting in a hand — Don Preisler

2. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, weighing as little as 2.5 grams, the weight of a penny.

A hummingbird sitting amongst berries — Lynda Goff

3. Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward and hover.

A hummingbird flying in midair preparing to collect nectar from a flower — Lynda Goff

4. Hummingbirds can travel 600 miles at 25 miles per hour, some journeying 3,000 miles a year.

A hummingbird flying in midair collecting nectar from a flower — Lynda Goff

5. Hummingbirds are fast little guys, capable of flying in bursts up to 60 miles per hour while their wings beat 80 times per second.

A hummingbird flying midair collecting nectar from a flower — Lynda Goff

Primary Category

Human & Animal Health