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Hummingbird

Short answer: Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds and have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal. Their wings beat about 10 to 80 times a second depending on species, and they may visit hundreds of flowers a day, drinking large amounts of nectar relative to their body weight.

They also eat small insects and spiders for protein.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Hummingbird?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. They are among the smallest birds.

    DD-088-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Small)

  2. Their metabolism is extremely high.

    DD-088-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism)

Video transcript: Hummingbird: Some Hummingbirds Beat Their Wings up to 80 Times a Second

Hummingbirds have incredible metabolism and energy consumption. Did you know? Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds, yet they have an extremely high metabolism to support their energetic lifestyle. Now the reason this is so fascinating to me is because to fuel their rapid wing beats, which can range from 50 to 80 beats per second, hummingbirds need to consume large amounts of food. A hummingbird can visit hundreds of flowers in a single day and feed multiple times its body weight in nectar. To maintain their energy levels, hummingbirds feed on nectar-rich flowers, supplementing their diet with small insects and spiders for protein. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 32.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonHummingbird · Instagram Reel
Hummingbird: Some Hummingbirds Beat Their Wings up to 80 Times a Second Instagram Reel · · 32.5s

The write-up

Some hummingbirds beat their wings up to 80 times a second. They may visit hundreds of flowers a day.

  1. Exhibit A

    Small

    They are among the smallest birds.

  2. Exhibit B

    Metabolism

    Their metabolism is extremely high.

  3. Exhibit C

    Wingbeats

    Wings beat up to about 80 times a second.

  4. Exhibit D

    Flowers

    They visit hundreds of flowers.

  5. Exhibit E

    Protein

    They eat insects and spiders.

Questions people ask about Hummingbird

How fast can wings beat?

Small species.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Small) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

What do they mainly drink?

Sugary.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

Where do they get protein?

Small prey.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Wingbeats) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

How many flowers a day?

To fuel up.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Flowers) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

How is their metabolism?

Among the highest.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Protein) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How fast can wings beat?

    1. Up to about 80 times a second
    2. Twice a second
    3. 1,000 a second
    4. Once a minute
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Up to about 80 times a second Small species. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Small) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

  2. What do they mainly drink?

    1. Nectar
    2. Milk
    3. Seawater
    4. Sap only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Nectar Sugary. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

  3. Where do they get protein?

    1. Insects and spiders
    2. Rocks
    3. Leaves
    4. Fish
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Insects and spiders Small prey. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Wingbeats) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

  4. How many flowers a day?

    1. Hundreds
    2. One
    3. Five
    4. None
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hundreds To fuel up. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Flowers) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

  5. How is their metabolism?

    1. Extremely high
    2. Very slow
    3. Average
    4. None
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Extremely high Among the highest. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Protein) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Hummingbird." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-088, last updated Nov 21, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/hummingbird/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/hummingbird/ · Last updated

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