hummingbird

Hummingbirds are a family of small, nectar-feeding birds native to the Americas. They belong to Trochilidae and are known for their rapid wingbeat, ability to hover, and often iridescent plumage. Most species are small, ranging about 7 to 13 cm in length, with weights from roughly 2 to 20 grams.

These birds inhabit a variety of environments from forests to deserts but are especially associated with flowering plants that provide nectar. They are widespread across North, Central, and South America, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, with the greatest diversity in the tropics. Their bills are long and slender, often curved, adapted to the shapes of flowers they pollinate, and their tongues are long and forked to extract nectar.

Diet consists mainly of nectar, supplemented by insects and spiders for protein and minerals. They have a high metabolic rate and a correspondingly rapid heart rate. Their wings beat rapidly, typically about 50 to 80 times per second, enabling sustained hovering and the ability to fly backward and sideways.

Reproduction: females build small cup nests in shrubs or trees. Eggs are white and tiny. Incubation lasts about 12 to 16 days, with fledging occurring a few weeks later. Many species perform elaborate courtship displays, including aerial dives and rapid chirps.

Ecology and conservation: hummingbirds are important pollinators for many plant species. Migration varies: some species are long-distance migrants, others resident in tropical regions. Habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use threaten some species, though many are listed as of Least Concern.

Notable species include the bee hummingbird, one of the smallest birds in the world, and the giant hummingbird, among the largest Trochilidae. The ruby-throated hummingbird is common in eastern North America.