Sheer Bundles of Energy

Remarkable speeds of 53 miles per hour (85 km/h) in normal flight, with peaks of over 71 miles per hour (114 km/h), have been measured. Migratory species are even more surprising, for they cover tremendous distances. Of the three North American hummingbirds, ruby-throat and rufous migrate some 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to their winter quarters. The broadtailed hummingbird flies from southern Mexico to the Rockies of Colorado and Wyoming, a distance of 1,500 to 2,000 miles (2,400 to 3,200 km). Now, think of its mere three inches (7.5 cm) and you have reason to wonder how such a small creature can do it.

More impressive still, ruby-throats are believed to do the 500-mile (800-km) hop across the Gulf of Mexico in one nonstop flight. They have been equipped with the extraordinary ability to store fuel-fat up to half their normal weight before the nonstop flight.

Hummingbirds dazzle the mind with their energy output. Greenewalt compared a 170-pound (77-kg) man's daily energy output of about 3,500 calories with a hummingbird's routine. To match the bird, the man would have to expend about 155,000 calories. This would take some 285 pounds (129 kg) of hamburger steak a day!

Of course, when it comes to food, hummingbirds do have an appetite. Using sugars as their principal energy food, together with insects and small spiders for proteins, they consume half their weight in sugar every day. Naturally, 50 to 60 meals of nectar a day is far from trifling. No wonder they are seen zipping around flowers all day long and zeroing in for a snack every 10 to 15 minutes.

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