Although almost everyone has seen a hummingbird, not everyone understands what they are and how they fly. Hummingbirds are in the bird family “Trochilidae” and they live mainly in the Americas. These birds are the only group that can fly backwards. Their English name is taken from the characteristic hum that they make with their wings. There are about 16 different species of hummingbirds that roam the United States and Canada.

The hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world with a very fast metabolism, and they feed almost constantly. They consume, on average, up to 50% of their body weight in nectar and insects each day. These birds do not suck up the nectar, rather they lap it up. Hummingbirds are able to land on feeders, but their feet are poorly developed and weak, which is why you usually just see them hover at the feeders.

Hummingbirds in flight look more like dancers. They can fly up, down, forward, backward, sideways and hover. Their wings can beat as fast as 60 to 200 times per second. This makes for a very interesting sight, if you are able to keep your eye on them, which is difficult because they can fly up to 60 miles per hour.

Also, hummingbirds do not really sing, they chirp or buzz trill. Hummingbirds are iridescent in color, because of flat iridescent feathers that are known as “gorgets.” Gorgets are important to attract a mate and in identifying the species.

Hummingbirds are migratory birds. Each different species has it own migration technique. Most hummingbirds go to Central America for the winter, but some remain along the Gulf Coast. It is unsure if this is because they are sick, too young or too old to continue on. There is also a small group that winter on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.