Hummingbirds are birds that belong to the avian family Trochilidae. These birds are small, usually weighing from between 2 to 20 grams, and boast long, narrow bills and small, saber-like wings. They are able to stroke with power both on the down- and up-beat of a wing flap. They are the only vertebrates capable of sustained hovering (staying in one place during flight), and they can fly backward and upside-down as well. Hummingbirds do not need the help of other hummingbirds to locate food or fend off predators. Other hummingbirds are in fact competitors for the flower nectar upon which they thrive. Most species live in the tropics, and while 17 species regularly nest in the United States, many of these are found close to the Mexican border. Continue reading from The Smithsonian National Zoo
16 Ways Hummingbirds Continually Amaze Us (Popular Mechanics)
How to Create a Hummingbird-Friendly Yard (Audubon Society)
Hummingbird Facts and Family Introduction (Hummingbird Central)
Hummingbird Facts from the San Diego Zoo (San Diego Zoo)
Hummingbird Guide (The Cornell Lab)
