hummingbird

Description:

Physical Description Average length: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) Average weight: 1/8 ounce (3.1 g) Body temperature: 105°-108°F (40.5°-42.2°C) Wing beats: 40-80 per second, average about 52 Respiration: 250 per minute Heart rate: 250 beats/min resting; 1200 beats/min feeding Flight speed: 30 mph (48 kph) normal; 50 mph (80 kph) escape; 63 mph (101 kph) dive

Notes:

Ruby-throats are intensely inquisitive and thus easily attracted to feeders, where males in particular typically display aggressive territoriality toward rival hummers, other birds, and even insects such as bees, butterflies, and sphinx moths. They quickly become accustomed to human presence, and will swoop down to investigate red articles of clothing, possibly as potential food sources. Feeders hung at windows attract as many visitors as ones farther from structures, and the bird that claims a feeder as its territory may spend much of the day perched nearby, guarding the food source against intruders.