Hummingbirds are the worlds smallest birds, their range extends from Alaska during the summer in North America to Chili on the tip of South America. Ecuador has the most (100+)species but even Mexico has more than 50 species and 4 species migrate and breed in Canada.
Normal speed during flight is between 25 – 30 mph, and during normal flight a hummingbird’s wings beat about 60-80 times per second. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly both forward and backwards, and hummingbirds can also hover in mid-air, fly sideways and even upside-down.
Beija-Flor: Portuguese for Flower-Kisser.
Chupaflor: Spanish for Flower-Sucker.
Joyas Voladoras: Spanish for Flying-Jewels.
Picaflor: Spanish for Flower-Nibbler.
El Zunzun: Caribbean for The Hummer.
Duration : 0:3:52
Little birds are on the way back to the Caribbean.
Hummingbirds are starting to arrive at Christina Lake, BC after wintering in Central America and the Caribbean. An amazing migration for such small birds. Today it was cold, cloudy with some rain in Christina Lake, not ideal conditions for the birds or filming. I love watching these little birds. Video was filmed April 28, 2009.
I can’t imagine the forces and muscle control it takes for these birds to hover or fly backwards.
Bird Man Mel will show you some ways to attract hummingbirds to your yard! 