Hummingbird Facts
A hummingbird is a tiny bird of the Americas, named for the hum of its fast-beating wings, and the smallest of all mature birds.
- Class
- Bird
About the hummingbird
About 375 species in 113 genera range from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, with most in Central and South America. Adults measure 7.5 to 13 cm long. The bee hummingbird, at 5 cm and under 2.0 g, is the smallest, and the giant hummingbird reaches 23 cm and 17 to 31 grams. Males show the widest range of feather color of any birds, especially blues, greens and purples.
Long beaks suit a diet of flower nectar, and every species also eats small insects. Wings beat about 12 times a second in the largest species and up to 99 in small ones, letting them hover. No warm-blooded animal burns energy faster for its size, so at night or when food runs short they drop into torpor, slowing metabolism to 1/15 of normal.
Did you know?
- As of 2026, 21 kinds of hummingbird carry an endangered or critically endangered listing.
- About 255 hummingbird species are declining in population.
- Most hummingbirds do not migrate, but the rufous hummingbird makes a very long trip.
Questions about the hummingbird
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds feed mostly on flower nectar, and all species also eat small insects.
How fast do hummingbird wings beat?
Small hummingbirds can reach 99 wingbeats a second, while the largest manage around 12.
Sources
- Wikidata Q43624, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Hummingbird, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.