Have you ever stepped outside and found yourself staring at a bird that appears to be floating in air?
That would be a hummingbird and it is a beautiful sight to be sure, but how much do these beautiful birds weigh?
Depending on the species, a hummingbird will weigh between .035-.70 ounces (1-20 grams).
That’s less than one ounce!
The heaviest of all hummingbirds, the Giant Hummingbird, doesn’t even weigh one ounce.
That’s not even the weight of an everyday house sparrow, which weighs around 30 grams.
The smallest known hummingbird, the Bee Hummingbird, comes in at a hefty 1.6 grams. That’s less than the weight of a penny (2.5 grams).
Weights For Common Types Of Hummingbirds
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird – 2-6 grams (0.07-0.212 ounces)
- Allen’s Hummingbird – 2-4 grams (0.07-0.14 ounces)
- Costa’s Hummingbird – 2-4 grams (0.07-0.14 ounces)
- Anna’s Hummingbird – 3-6 grams (0.10-0.21 ounces)
- Black-Chinned Hummingbird – 3-3.5 grams (0.10-0.12 ounces)
- Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – 3-4 grams (0.10-0.14 ounces)
- Calliope Hummingbird – 2-3 grams (0.07-0.10 ounces)
- Rufous Hummingbird – 2-4 grams (0.07-0.14 ounces)
- Broad-Billed Hummingbird – 3-4 grams (0.10-0.14 ounces)
How Fast Can A Hummingbird Fly?
Despite being lightweight, hummingbirds can fly extremely fast.
Top speeds can be around 35 mph, and they are known to dive at speeds of 45 mph or faster.
They can dart back and forth with ease, as well as fly for long distances.
Watching a hummingbird float above a flower is fascinating.
But, when it takes off it will flap its wings up to 75 times a second.
What Does A Hummingbird Eat?
To keep up its strength, a hummingbird will eat up to one-half of its body weight in a day. What kind of food do they eat? Nectar of course.
If you haven’t put out a hummingbird feeder filled with nectar off your front porch yet, you should.
These birds are a joy to watch, and once they find the nectar they will keep coming back on a regular basis.
Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Yes they do. You’ll find most Ruby-Throated hummingbirds migrating down to southern Mexico or northern Panama every winter before returning back north.fd
These small birds can fly upwards of 500 miles at a time.
Do Hummingbirds Sleep?
Hummingbirds will go into a deep sleep that is known as “Torpor”. Once woken, they will take 20-30 minutes to get going again.
They will sleep in their favorite perch where they feel safe and secure from any predators.
~ Fun Fact ~
The average lifespan for a hummingbird is 5 years. However, some have been known to live as long as 10 years or more. Amazingly, they will go to 1,000 flowers every day for nectar… and then remember each one they’ve been to.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird
http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/facts.php