We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

Why Is It So Difficult to Attract a Variety of Hummingbird Species?

Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 1,885
Share

There are more than 330 different hummingbird species flitting around the Western Hemisphere, but only 5 percent of them actually live in the United States or Canada. Most species prefer the tropical climate of Central and South America. However, certain hummingbirds do migrate north to breeding grounds in southern U.S. states (and certain western U.S. states), beginning as early as February. Their migration is thought to be triggered by changes in the amount of daylight and by the emergence of flowers, nectar, and insects. Instinct also plays a role in their decision to migrate.

Flying machines, fueled by nectar:

  • Hummingbirds increase their body weight by as much as 40 percent before starting the annual migration. They fly alone, often following a predictable path, stopping along the way to refuel on nectar.
  • During migration, a hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute and its wings flap between 15 and 80 times per second. It is thought that a hummingbird can travel as far as 23 miles (37 km) in a day.
  • Flying 500 miles (805 km) across the Gulf of Mexico, these little birds must remain airborne for about 20 hours. Hummingbirds typically weigh less than 5 grams (0.176 oz) -- about the weight of a nickel.
Share

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-attract-a-variety-of-hummingbird-species.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.