The Hummingbird

The tiny hummingbird gets its name from the sound it makes when flapping its wings. This colourful bird flaps its wings 50-60 times in a second. How many times can you snap your fingers in a second? Perhaps twice! By rapidly beating its wings, the hummingbird can remain in the same position, fly backwards and even straight up like a helicopter. It feeds on the nectar of flowers and little insects while hovering in flight. Its long bill beak and hairy tongue are especially suited to prod and probe the hearts of flowers. This bird is remarkable for its array of red, blue and green colours. Although it is the smallest bird in the world, it fearlessly attacks crows and hawks that invade its territory and nest. The cup-like nest it builds is an architectural wonder. A mass of grasses, mosses, and fibres are woven together with strands of cobwebs to form a tiny nest about the size of a walnut shell. The nest holds two snow-white eggs. These are the smallest bird's eggs in the world. When the eggs are hatched, the mother feeds the nestling by thrusting her bill down there throats. Then, vibrating her body, she regurgitates the sweet nectar from her stomach. The pretty hummingbird is found in the tropical regions of north and south America and in Cuba.

Image of Hummingbird: -