This year they just didn't show up......
MIGRATION & SITE FIDELITY
DISTANCE: About 845km (525mi) non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico, and then up to another 1,600km (1,000mi) into Central America; RTHU that nest in Canada must also fly from there to the Gulf Coast, a distance of another 1,600km (1,000mi) or so.
ELAPSED TIME: Estimated 20 hours to fly across the Gulf of Mexico. (Some RTHUs may go overland through Mexico.)
FEEDING & METABOLISM
RATE: Eats about its weight in nectar or sugar water each day.
FREQUENCY: About 5-10 times per hour for 30-60 seconds each time
BODY TEMPERATURE: 40.5 degrees C (105-108 degrees F)
TORPOR: On cold nights, a RTHU can lower its body temperature by about 20 degrees C (30 degrees F), thus conserving energy that we be used to maintain its normal temperature. The next morning, the RTHU speeds up its metabolism and get its body temperature back up to normal within a few minutes.
ENERGY USE: On a typical day, a RTHU needs about 10 calories of food to survive. This can come in the form of carbohydrates (sugar water or flower nectar) or fats and proteins (primarily from tiny insects and spiders).
Fascinating aren't they?
Nanny
11 comments:
Incredibly fascinating! So great that you have them nearby, and the information is all new to me!
We were visiting my father-in-law in New Mexico recently and they emptied a feeder in just a few hours, too! It seemed like the more we put out, the more they drank. You got some great shots!
I saw one just the other morning on my walk. I enjoyed watching it - they are amazing creatures!
I thought about you the other day. For the first time in my life, I saw a hummingbird moth. I never even knew such a thing existed, but the lady at Home Depot pointed it out. Made me think of how much you like your hummingbirds. =) Glad your friends are back.
i love them too! but apparently in order to get them to start coming to nectar (especially in an apartment complex) you have to plant a sweet smelling flower that attracts them. problem is, i have squirrels. i dislike squirrels. they make a habit of plucking all of my buds from my plants. and then once the plant is dead - those little suckers use their legs like a backhoe and empty my soil onto my patio. so until i find a cure for squirrels, i'm afraid i might be hummingbirdless.
I haven't seen hummingbirds this summer either...this week my husband saw one on my morning glories...I've been watching...still haven't seen one...
Nanny your photos of the hummingbirds are precious! Sadly we don't see them here. My sister has so many that come to her backyard in Arizona and I feel in love with them on a visit. Since then I've collected little hummingbird items.
so sweet
who does not love a hummingbird???
very interesting facts
I wonder where they were...who checks on the life of a hummingbird anyway??? Do they wear tiny little cameras so we can see their flight...whoever watched it would be dizzy (o:
Aren't hummngbirds just amazing, Nanny... We have a bunch here also. I have 3 feeders and am constantly filling one or more of them.
Hugs,
Betsy
We had a lot early on this summer, then they just disappeared. I kept the feeder out and now I have one or two come during the day...odd. Sorry you had trouble leaving a post yesterday, sooooo irritating to write a long comment to see it evaporate in thin air. I went in and removed my word authorization (the jumbled word you have to type) hoping this will encourage more comments. I think it's to prevent spam so I'll just have to see how it goes. Have a great weekend!
They really are fascinating, Nanny. Your photos are amazing. I also enjoyed the background information you shared with us. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
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