Hummingbirds

Flight & Behavior

Flight Abilities: Only bird that can fly backward, forward, sideways, and upside down.

Speed: Average 30 mph, with dives exceeding 50 mph.

Rest: Cannot walk or hop; their tiny legs are only used for perching.

Torpor: They enter a deep sleep-like state (torpor) to conserve energy overnight.

Lifespan & Nesting

Lifespan: Often live less than a year, though some live 4+ years.

Nesting: Females lay only two, jellybean-sized eggs in a tiny nest.

Migration: They travel alone, sometimes over 500 miles, with some species migrating from North America to South America.

Diet & Metabolism

High Metabolism: Must consume half their body weight in sugar (nectar)
daily.

Protein Source: Consume tiny insects and spiders for protein.

Pollination: Essential pollinators that have co-evolved with many flower species.