Long Migration: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates up to 3,000 miles from North America to Central America and back each year.
Tiny Hearts: Their hearts can beat up to 1,200 times per minute during flight and about 250 times per minute at rest.
High Metabolism: Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any bird, needing to consume about half their body weight in nectar daily.
Unique Tongues: Their tongues are grooved and can extend beyond their beaks to lap up nectar at a rate of up to 13 licks per second.
Hovering Ability: Hummingbirds are the only birds capable of sustained hovering due to their rapid wing beats (up to 80 times per second).
Colorful Feathers: Their iridescent feathers do not contain pigment; instead, they reflect and refract light due to microscopic platelets.
Torpor State: To conserve energy, especially during cold nights or food shortages, hummingbirds can enter a state of torpor, lowering their metabolic rate drastically.
Short Livespan: Despite their remarkable abilities, most hummingbirds live an average of 3 to 5 years in the wild.