Hummingbird is not only a very tiny bird on the planet, but also one of the most beautiful creatures by nature.Amazing creation affects their way of life and determined disposition.But let's learn a little more about this tiny bird.
tiny size
There are many (about 330) species of hummingbirds.Among the representatives of this group of birds can be found, the dimensions of which resemble large insects than birds.For example, the statement that the hummingbird is the smallest bird weighs 20 grams, wrongly, as entirely a miniature view, called the bee hummingbird, can boast representatives weighing about 2 grams
Are found these chips mainly in Cuba and reach the size of at least 7cm, while the largest of the existing birds hummingbirds can grow up to 22 cm.
Typically, measurements are taken from the tip of the beak to the extreme end of the tail.Most of the representatives of these small birds inhabited the North American continent.They can be found not only in tropical and subtropical climate, but also in Alaska.Their favorite habitats are considered gardens, meadows, fields.Among the hummingbirds found in both sedentary and migratory birds.The latter include rubinogolovogo hummingbirds and red ognenostsa, they spend the winter in Mexico.Unfortunately, in the territory of the continent, these chips are not found.Not even the usual bird hummingbird in Udmurtia, where you can meet other little bird called a kingfisher.It is also small and has emerald green color, so they are often confused.
Painting
Hummingbird - a bird with a unique color, its plumage is very beautiful and reminiscent of precious stones.When direct sunlight bright feathers shimmer like change their coloring.That is why the birds are often given names associated with precious stones (eg "topazny hummingbird", "emerald neck", "fire topaz," flying amethyst ").Agree, very poetic nickname.
«Family Life»
hummingbird nests weave blades, cobwebs, hairs and pieces of bark.The value of "hearth" depends on the size of the bird.Some of them nest reach a diameter of cup size, while others - walnut shell.
This "cabin" Hummingbird lays two eggs, the value of which no more than a pea.The diameter of the eggs - only 12 mm, weight - no more than 0.5 g
must say that hummingbirds - a very bold and courageous bird, in the event of danger, she bravely stands up for their young and rapidly flying to the enemy.Desperate mother plunges its sharp beak nose and eyes forward.
noteworthy that hummingbirds do not form a pair.On the female cavity for the care of the offspring.However, it remains alone, starting from the construction of the nest and before the chicks are vykormleny.
Power
Hummingbird - a bird, a description of life which is somewhat different from our usual understanding of the lifestyle of birds.The first interesting thing is that the main food for them is the nectar that they extract from their own colors.Hummingbirds can hover, as it were in the air over a flower, making up to 80 strokes per second wings.Such stressful flight takes a lot of energy, so it is possible bird sits on a flower to drink nectar.
however, be wrong to assume that this is the only food for these birds.For many species of hummingbirds basic food (for some of them even exclusively) - small insects.Sometimes they eat the captives web.
Hummingbird - a bird that while flying spends a tremendous amount of energy, so it is often forced to eat.During ingestion activity occurs every 10 minutes.It turns out that one day, these chips consume the amount of food in quantities exceeding the weight of their own body.
style flight
Another interesting feature of this tiny creature that hummingbirds - a bird capable of maneuvering backwards.More no representative of birds in the world that can not afford the flight.Scientists have determined that a bird flying muscles comprise approximately 25-30% of its weight.The ability to move up and down and back is provided by a special design of the wing.Typically, the wings of birds are joined by shoulder, elbow and wrist, at the hummingbird, they are connected only from the shoulders.All of this allows them to quickly accelerate, hover, land vertically, and during mating courtship reach speeds of up to hundreds of flapping wings in the second.
Hummingbird has a big and strong heart.It occupies almost half of her body cavities, and his own stomach sizes larger than tripled.Impressive and heart rate - 1000-1200 bpm.
important biological functions
way, feeding on nectar, hummingbirds perform one of the very significant biological roles - they pollinate flowers.The fact that a number of flowers have such a structure that they can pollinate only this tiny bird.Interestingly, the shape of the flower, often pollinated specific type of hummingbird, directly related to the structural features of the bird's beak.That is, for different kinds of hummingbirds are characterized by their beak shapes.Thus, if the flower is flat, then the bird it should be short.Because of the long flower clusters, similar to the funnel, you can get the nectar only through a narrow elongated beak.
long beak (10 cm) has mecheklyuv.It exceeds almost twice the total length of the bird.
On top of that authority has hummingbirds and other features, for example, is much forked tongue, besschetinistoe basis.These individual differences allow the bird to put out tongue out of his mouth much farther than other birds.
Migration cold edge
Some representatives hummingbirds migrate to mountainous rock formations, located in Canada, at a time when the snow has not yet melted.The temperature of eggs successfully saved birdies at 25 degrees.It is warmer than the ambient temperature.How does this happen?
fact that hummingbirds - a bird that is easily adapted to a sufficiently low temperature thanks to the unique feathers barrier.One inch of the body have their greatest number of feathers compared with other birds (excluding representatives of major species).In addition, hummingbirds are able to reduce the metabolism to a state of lethargy, to save energy.Before perform migration, they accumulate a large amount of fat.Thus, it is 72% of the total weight of the birds.Collect a number of margins under force dpleko not every bird, because it requires a special configuration of the physiological mechanisms.Scientists have found that the hummingbird has the metabolic activity of the liver in the world.Another important feature - the high speed delivery of glucose.This is an invaluable feature for a living being, which is the main power nectar.
Memory
Another interesting feature of hummingbirds is their ability to memorize.The researchers found that during the second bird "fly-around" flowers avoids those that devastated it to the end.However, it returns to the plants, where else was nectar.It is a surprising fact, since the brain is studied hummingbirds (reddish brown) is the size of zerninki rice.However, this does not prevent her from using its capabilities.
Hummingbird - a truly unique creation.They differ from other birds and the structure and way of life, and feathers, and, most importantly, size.No bird, like a hummingbird seemingly, can not be compared with her other parameters, such as the flight speed.Therefore, for many years, it is of particular interest to nature lovers.
Perhaps you're wondering how much hummingbirds - a bird that is truly unique.However, if you want to purchase it, you better think twice, because the hummingbirds, as well as any other wildlife, needs freedom to live a full life.Appropriate conditions for them can be created only in the natural parks.In addition, to ensure adequate power is not an easy occupation.
