Hummingbird is the smallest bird on the planet. The small size combined with the bright color of the feathers and the special disposition make these tiny creatures a unique decoration of nature. Let's see where live hummingbirds, we will analyze their habits and behavior.
There are about three hundred species of hummingbird. The differences between the individual species are insignificant, but some species of hummingbirds are considered champions. The weight of the smallest bird resembling a butterfly or insect does not exceed 2 grams. If we consider the whole family, the following features are distinguished:
- The average weight of the bird is 20 grams. Modest and size. The average length, taking into account the beak and tail, is 7-20 centimeters.
- Color is determined not only by the color endowed with nature. It depends on the direction of sunlight and the angle of view. Often the color changes and shimmers with rainbow colors. This effect resembles a play of color on the edges of jewelry. In males, the color scheme is brighter and richer than in females. From photographs of these birds are obtained mesmerizing collages.
- Hummingbirds have a long, thin beak. The upper beak segment covers the lower part, protruding beyond the edges. The length of the forked tongue corresponds to the size of the beak. By extracting food, tiny feathered creatures significantly push the tongue out of the mouth.
- The next feature is sharp and long wings. Each wing has 10 fly feathers and 6 small feathers. Hummingbirds flap their wings so often that they are not visible. When hovering in the air, the frequency reaches 50 max per second, and this is not the limit. When flying at maximum speed, which often exceeds the mark of 100 km / h, the figure increases by 4 times.
- Hummingbirds have a good command of aerobatics. They fly in all directions, even backward. Often, very complex figures are performed in flight, but you can admire this sight only thanks to slow motion. With the naked eye, a person sees only a tiny bright spot sweeping past. Hummingbird flight is accompanied by a characteristic sound. This is the result of friction of the feathers on the air.
- Colossal physical activity forces the heart of the bird to work with great frequency. If the hummingbird is at rest, the heart makes up to 500 beats per minute. With high-speed flight, the indicator triples.
- Hummingbirds have small, thin and weak legs, unsuitable for walking. Therefore, it is impossible to see a bird sitting on the ground. But they are able to hang in the air. Describing the figure-eight in the air with wings, the bird maintains balance and remains motionless.
We examined the main features of hummingbirds. I almost forgot to mention body temperature. When flying, the body temperature of a tiny feathered creature is 42 degrees. At night, when the bird sits on a branch for the night, the body temperature drops to 17 degrees. The bird seems to freeze and motionlessly awaits the advent of a new day.
Hummingbird habitat and habits
I think that by this moment the uniqueness of the hummingbird is not in doubt, but this applies not only to the appearance and functioning of the body. The unusualness of tiny birds is manifested even in character and behavior. Therefore, the topic of further discussion will be the hummingbird habits and habitat. Let's start with the character.
- Hummingbirds are perky, fast, mischievous and fearless birds. These character traits are clearly demonstrated during the period of feeding the chicks. When a potential danger appears, the baby boldly attacks larger birds and courageously protects offspring.
- Humans are not a threat to hummingbirds.Therefore, small birds often make nests near residential buildings. Caring people often attract beautiful birds to the garden, planting flowers, the nectar of which hummingbirds feed on. Some organize drinking bowls. Tanks are filled with syrup or a solution of honey and water. In gratitude, the birds fill the garden with beautiful singing or subtle tweets.
- If there are no problems in communicating with a person, it is more complicated among the birds themselves. The list of unique character traits contains egoism and loneliness. And although birds often gather in flocks, each member of the community remains a vibrant personality. Therefore, disagreements and conflicts in the group are not uncommon.
Hummingbirds are distributed over a vast territory. Some species prefer the mountains, others like the plains, and still others have chosen deserts. The largest number lives in the western hemisphere. The highest concentration of hummingbirds off the coast of the Amazon.
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Hummingbirds, living in temperate latitudes, before the arrival of winter go to warmer climes. To get into a hot country, they make long flights. After the end of the cold, the birds fly to their homeland and return to their usual lives.
Where hummingbirds live in Russia
Many are of the opinion that hummingbirds live only in the wooded area of the tropics and subtropics. Indeed, the vast majority of species live in South and Central America, where a hot climate prevails. But there is a species that liked the subarctic climate zone of Russia. This is a buffy hummingbird.
Researchers first discovered this species in the summer of 1976 on the territory of Ratmanov Island. According to unconfirmed information, representatives of the ocher species often appear on mainland Chukotka and on Wrangel Island. By the way, this island is sometimes visited and White bears.
It is hard to believe, but a tiny feathered creature, the mass of which does not exceed 5 grams, is characterized by enviable endurance and feels good even in twenty-degree frost.
In the summer, hummingbirds found in Russia are sent to North America. There they stay in a mountainous area, which is ideal for normal life: a warm climate, an abundance of flowering plants, optimal conditions for building nests and caring for offspring.
How and what hummingbirds eat
Hummingbird diet can not be called diverse. Scientists used to think that they only eat flower nectar. The results of numerous studies have confirmed the fallacy of this opinion.
Extracting nectar, the bird flies up to the flower, freezes, plunges a long beak into the bud and opens it a little. Then he sticks out a tubular tongue and sucks nectar with the help of swallowing movements. In addition to nectar, tiny insects are collected in the diet, which are collected on the leaves and flowers of plants, and also removed from the web.
In order for the body temperature to be normal and active, hummingbirds need a lot of food. Each tiny bird eats twice as much food per day as body weight. The digestive system, due to its accelerated metabolism, quickly copes with food.
Where do hummingbirds live in captivity
Hummingbirds can be bred at home. The owner does not have problems with the placement, feeding and taming of a tiny pet. They are kept in ordinary cells, additionally covered inside with a grid with small cells.
For the role of drinking bowls and feeders, a plastic bottle is ideally suited, which fully corresponds to the structural features of the oral apparatus. Little chicks need constant supervision, because of the accelerated metabolism it is recommended to feed them every 15 minutes.
Hummingbirds' favorite pastime is cleaning feathers in the sun, so it is recommended to keep the cage in a well-lit place. The arrangement of a shady corner is also welcome. In the dark, hummingbirds sleep soundly. Even if the bird is disturbed, it will make a subtle sound, but it will remain motionless and will not wake up.
In the natural environment, the life span of a hummingbird does not exceed 9 years. During this time, each bird flies a huge distance. Hummingbirds live in captivity much less, since it is problematic to provide optimal conditions for keeping. We are talking about good nutrition, the presence of a large number of flowers and the organization of space for long flights.
If we talk about zoos, hummingbirds are raised in California. On the territory of local institutions special airlines are equipped, in which the crumbs live. In European zoos are rare, therefore, for Europeans, a meeting with this tiny inhabitant is so expected and joyful.
