Fun and Amazing Facts about HummingBirds for Kids

Humming birds are one of the smallest very adorable looking birds that are commonly seen even places like your backyard. Wherever there are nectar-rich flowers there are high chances of coming across a hummingbird. These are interesting little creatures that are so hyperactive in behavior with the numerous flaps of wings they perform to hover in the air. They can flap their wings 12-90 times per second. The name of this bird was coined from the characteristic humming sound made by the rapid flaps of its wings.

• There are seventeen species of humming birds in North America.
• The rate at which they flap their wings is faster than any other bird. The flaps are even faster during courtships.
• They have a huge appetite for the really tiny body structure. They can consume nectar double the measure of their own body weights.
• They eat every 10 minutes throughout the day.
• They also eat bugs for proteins.
• They use their tongues to lap up the nectar.
• The sides of their tongues are porous and are used to suck all the nectar. This also helps them to catch insects.
• Since they fly so much they have poorly developed feet. They do not use their feet at all.
• They can fly up to 60 miles per hour.
• They use their beaks and claws to fight but they seldom harm each other during fights.
• They love the sun. They normally face the sun and flap their wings.
• They bathe using cupped leaves, a birdbath, puddle or even sprinklers.
• Their wings flap and flutter making a number 8 like motion while flying.
• The Giant Hummingbird is the largest of this variety. It is called the Gee.
• The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world. They measure only about 2 inches.
• Their average lifespan is 3-6 years. The maximum a humming bird has ever lived is 12 years and it is a record.
• They lay 2 eggs that are about half an inch long.
• The eggs hatch in 13-22 days depending upon the species.
• With no feather the average humming bird is of the size of a bumble bee.
• Male hummingbirds have brilliantly colored area in the neck. This area is known as a gorget and they are iridescent which means that it emits different colors due to refraction of light depending on the angle of lighting the bird is exposed to. When sunlight is not striking the gorget at proper angles it appears black.
• Although the hummingbird are the smallest bird species found in the planet their brain size accounts up to 4.2% of their body weight which is comparatively the largest proportion of brain over bodyweight amongst the other birds.
• They migrate south for winter and north for summer.
• Their nests are in the size of half a walnut shell. They generally do not rest in their nests.
• They are the only birds that are eaten up by insects. The insect that may devour a humming bird is a praying mantis.
• A hummingbird called the Reddish Hermit weighs the same as a fly.

1. By Rajan at 9th August, 2010

   amazing….wonderful..interesting facts that i didn’t know about these beautiful little acrobats of the sky!!!!

2. By akshita at 15th November, 2010

   u know wht i just wozz always very much interested in humming birds….coz they r so cute n hv interesting facts i wud agree with rajan dey r amazing wonderful……..n sure LIL ACROBATS