Do Hummingbirds Hum?: Fascinating Answers to Questions About Hummingbirds (Animal Q&a Series)

Hummingbirds may be the smallest birds in the world, but they have the biggest appetites. Their wings flutter on average fifty to eighty times each second as they visit hundreds of flowers over the course of a day to sip the sweet nectar that sustains them. Their hearts beat nearly twelve hundred times a minute and their rapid breathing allows these amazing birds to sustain their unique manner of flight. They can hover in the air for prolonged periods, fly backwards using forceful wings that swivel at the shoulder, and dive at nearly two hundred miles per hour. Native only to the Americas, some hummingbirds have been known to migrate from Mexico to Alaska in the course of a season. Watching a hummingbird at a backyard feeder, we only see its glittering iridescent plumage and its long, narrow beak; its rapidly moving wings are a blur to our eyes. These tiny, colorful birds have long fascinated birders, amateur naturalists, and gardeners. But, do they really hum? In Do Hummingbirds Hum? George C. West, who has studied and banded over 13,500 hummingbirds in Arizona, and Carol A. Butler provide an overview of hummingbird biology for the general reader, and more detailed discussions of their morphology and behavior for those who want to fly beyond the basics. Enriched with beautiful and rare photography, including a section in vivid color, this engaging question and answer guide offers readers a wide range of information about these glorious pollinators as well as tips for attracting, photographing, and observing hummingbirds in the wild or in captivity. Hummingbirds May Be The Smallest Birds In The World, But They Have The Biggest Appetites. Their Wings Flutter On Average Fifty To Eighty Times Each Second As They Visit Hundreds Of Flowers Over The Course Of A Day To Sip The Sweet Nectar That Sustains Them. Their Hearts Beat Nearly Twelve Hundred Times A Minute And Their Rapid Breathing Allows These Amazing Birds To Sustain Their Unique Manner Of Flight. They Can Hover In The Air For Prolonged Periods, Fly Backwards Using Forceful Wings That Swivel At The Shoulder, And Dive At Nearly Two Hundred Miles Per Hour. Native Only To The Americas, Some Hummingbirds Have Been Known To Migrate From Mexico To Alaska In The Course Of A Season. George C. West, Who Has Studied And Banded Over 13,500 Hummingbirds In Arizona, And Carol A. Butler Provide An Overview Of Hummingbird Biology For The General Reader, And More Detailed Discussions Of Their Morphology And Behavior For Those Who Want To Fly Beyond The Basics. Enriched With Beautiful And Rare Photography, Including A Section In Vivid Color, This Engaging Question And Answer Guide Offers Readers A Wide Range Of Information About These Glorious Pollinators As Well As Tips For Attracting, Photographing, And Observing Humming Birds. Hummingbird Basics -- Systems And Senses -- Feathers And Bones -- Reproduction -- Flight And Migration -- Dangers And Defenses -- Attracting And Feeding -- Identifying And Photographing -- Research And Conservation -- Garden Plants That Attract Hummingbirds -- Some Places To See Live Hummingbirds In Exhibits Or Gardens -- Hummingbird Organizations. George C. West And Carol A. Butler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [[163]-178) And Index. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 16 ONE: Hummingbird Basics......Page 20 TWO: Systems and Senses......Page 38 THREE: Feathers and Bones......Page 69 FOUR: Reproduction......Page 88 FIVE: Flight and Migration......Page 106 SIX: Dangers and Defenses......Page 124 SEVEN: Attracting and Feeding......Page 135 EIGHT: Identifying and Photgraphing......Page 148 NINE: Research and Conservation......Page 163 Appendix A: Garden Plants That Attract Hummingbirds......Page 176 Appendix B: Some Places to See Live Hummingbirds in Exhibits or Gardens......Page 180 Appendix C: Hummingbird Organizations......Page 186 Appendix D: Recommended Reading and Web Sites......Page 188 References......Page 190 Index......Page 206 Hummingbirds may be the smallest birds in the world, but they have the biggest appetites. Their wings flutter on average 50 to 80 times each second as they visit hundreds of flowers over the course of a day to sip the sweet nectar that sustains them. This work offers an overview of hummingbird biology, discussing their morphology and behavior.