The maximum recorded heart rate during flight, over 17 times faster than a resting human.
An Anna's Hummingbird endures 9 Gs of force when pulling out of a courtship dive.
By entering a state of nightly hibernation called torpor, they reduce their metabolism to survive.
An Engine of Extremes
Hummingbirds are biological superlatives. Their flight muscles and heart are proportionally massive compared to other animals, enabling their high-energy lifestyle.
A World of Diversity
While found only in the Americas, hummingbird diversity is concentrated in the tropics. The Andes mountains are the epicenter of their evolution, hosting hundreds of species compared to the few dozen that reach North America.
Map shows estimated number of hummingbird species per country. Darker teal indicates higher richness.
The Great Migration
The Rufous Hummingbird undertakes one of the longest migrations relative to body size, traveling in a 3,900-mile clockwise loop from Mexico to as far north as Alaska and back again, passing through Colorado's Rocky Mountains on its southern journey.
Mexico
Pacific NW & Alaska
Colorado's Winged Jewels
Colorado is a critical hub for hummingbirds, hosting two primary breeding species that separate by elevation, and two key migrants passing through. This chart compares the four most common species across key characteristics.
Life Cycle: A Race Against Time
Courtship & Mating
Males perform spectacular high-speed dives to attract females. After mating, the female raises the young alone.
Nest Building
The female builds a tiny, cup-shaped nest from plant down and moss, woven with elastic spider silk to expand as the chicks grow.
Incubation (12-19 Days)
Two tiny, white eggs, each the size of a coffee bean, are incubated.
Fledging (18-26 Days)
Chicks are fed a diet of nectar and insects until they are ready to leave the nest.
Become a Hero
You can help hummingbirds thrive. Providing the right food and planting native flowers creates a vital network of resources.
Safe Nectar Recipe
Mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Never use red dye, honey, or artificial sweeteners.
Clean feeders every 2-3 days in hot weather.