Hummingbird Diet

Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds do not diet exclusively on nectar; they also eat insects, grubs, and any other tiny creature they can get their bill on.

Scientists once thought that hummingbirds had to ride on the back of larger birds to cross the Gulf of Mexico during their annual migration to South America, because the mathmatical calculations seemed unbelievable that such a diminutive bird could have the energy to travel so far.

We now know these birds do make the journey without assistance, beating their wings as fast as 50 times per second, the fastest of any bird on the planet.

This speedy wing beat, plus a rotating wrist joint, allows a hummingbird to hover in place, fly backwards and even fly upside down.

Photo Courtesy Of: shymollymawk:

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, mother and near-fledglings (Archilochus colubris)