May 22, 2024 – Theme Week Day 3

We’re halfway through our Birds theme week! Today we’re talking about the smallest of all birds, the hummingbird! There are around 366 hummingbird species, most of which are found in Central and South America. There are only 15 hummingbird species in the U.S., including the ones we have here in our area, the ruby-throated hummingbird. Most hummingbirds beat their wings 60-80 times per second. And in order to support the rapid beating of their wings, hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any vertebrate animal. Their heart rates can be up to 1260 beats per minute and their breathing rate can be about 250 breaths per minute, even at rest! A hummingbird’s brain makes up over 4% of their body weight. They have an enlarged hippocampus, which is the part of the brain related to spatial memory. As a result, studies have shown that hummingbirds can remember every flower they’ve ever visited and know how long to wait between visits so the flowers have time to make more nectar. They can also recognize humans and remember which ones keep their hummingbird feeders full! Learn more here.