Fascinating Facts About Hummingbirds

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Do You Know These Fascinating Facts About Hummingbirds?

Learn the fascinating traits that make hummingbirds the special creatures that they are:

1. Large eyes pick up as many colors as human eyes do, plus ultraviolet light;
2. Lead edges of wings create tornado-like vortexes to help with hovering;
3. Tongues act as thin pumps that contract to draw in nectar;
4. Dainty feet for perching only, since hummingbirds don’t walk or hop;
5. Sturdy tail feathers used like rudders to make hairpin turns;
6. A rufous hummingbird sips nectar from a Pride of Madeira bloom.

These Birds are Nectar Specialists

No fliers are as well-equipped to extract nectar as hummingbirds. With long, thin bills and tongues that lick up to 13 times a second, their mouths alone make them impressive. But the awe doesn’t stop there. They are among the few birds with the ability to steadily hover and fly backward, allowing them to easily move from flower to flower.

Plus, check out: 9 Expert Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard