The Amazing Metabolism of Hummingbirds

For those on the east coast of the US, I recommend native honeysuckle (lonicera sempervirens, aka trumpet or coral honeysuckle) for attracting ruby throated hummingbirds. It's a beautiful perennial, with tubular flowers that come in a range of hummie-pleasing colors that include carmine, lipstick red, orange tipped with pink and coral with orange-yellow insides. The 2" tubes are the perfect size for hummies. I've had no trouble with disease, insects or deer. (Native plants unfortunately can be all too palatable to our equally native deer.) Hummies also love red salvia, but salvia is an annual where I live, and with my time for gardening short, I vastly prefer investing it in perennials.

Really fair & useful question for Kenneth Welch: If we have a hummingbird feeder, what is the optimal food to put in it for best overall health? Not just sugar, correct? But what else? What for fructose? What for fat, vitamins, protein, or whatever?

We are very grateful when the HBs visit. They come here in waves, by the hundreds, over the summer months. We must be in a popular migration path. When a wave arrives, we put out the feeders and they will devour the contents in all four feeders in less than 8 hours. Last year we went through 40 lbs of sugar. We get many sizes, colors and temperaments. The most aggressive, by far, are the Rufus HBs. I took some high speed videos and they are truly amazing creatures. If you stand motionless near the feeder sometimes they will land on your finger.

I feed hummingbirds and when the feeder is low they have come up to my window to get my attention. They are remarkably friendly, and I enjoy their bark. That chip, chip, chip vocabulary that they have.

We grew Lobelia cardenalis in our pond last year, and the hummingbirds just loved it. Every time we see these remarkable birds (Anna's, Rufous), we feel privileged. Thank you Mr. Gorman for reminding us of the wonders of the world.

Hummingbirds are important pollinators in different ecosystems. There are over 300 hummingbird species found in the Western Hemisphere. Their unusual shoulder anatomy enables their wings to rotate in a figure eight pattern, making for lift on both up and down strokes. Thus the hummingbirds can hover and even fly backwards and we can enjoy their beautiful jewel-like iridescent in the sunlight.

I wear a deep red lipstick. One summer afternoon, I was sitting on my terrace reading. I suddenly noticed a hummingbird about two feet in front of my face. We stared at each other a bit, then the bird flew off. I told this to a friend who explained that the hummingbird thought my mouth was a flower.

Like other readers, am surprised that he doesn't mention that hummers are predominantly insectivores. We only really notice them at bright-colored flowers and don't realize the minute insects they are gulping down. I'm amazed at his technique, but it doesn't tell the whole story. I have hummingbirds all year round, without a single feeder, because the garden was designed that way. In a previous garden, I put in enough salvia species (20+) that at least one would be in bloom every day of the year. Not quite that many here, but the dorisiana and gesneriifolia are in full bloom now. And zero pesticides. The bees are happy too.

Many years ago, when I was a student at Penn State, I lived at a garden-style apartment complex that had a center courtyard filled with well-tended roses and fruit trees. An entire wall of the complex was covered in Trumpet Vine. Early one morning I looked out my kitchen window to admire the magnificent blossoms in full bloom. The lush wall seemed to be undulating. Hundreds of hummingbirds were feasting on the flowers. Truly an awesome sight.

Nowhere in this article does Mr Gorman point out that hummers must also eat several dozen insects a day, more if feeding their nestlings. Insects are essential to their diet in that they provide the nitrogen necessary for this amazing bird to help grow feathers, for example.

"Hummingbirds are pure delight" indeed ... It's so nice to read an article like this (with a wonderful video, thanks NYT) in times of fake news and anti-intellectualism as the new "politically correct" way of behaving ...

So should we put fructose in our hummingbird feeders?

No one has ever addressed how hummingbirds cope with the excessive "G's" generated when they instantly stop or change direction, G forces that would cause a human to black out. Fighter Pilot, USAF Retired

Too bad humankind's all-out war on the environment will probably drive many bird species, most larger mammal species, and many important insect pollinator species, to extinction within the next 50 to 100 years.

We live on the West Coast of Canada and Anna's hummingbirds now stay here all year round. It's amazing to see them darting about in the snow, coming to our feeder. They can also recognize faces (my husband fills the feeder) and demand to have the hose turned to spray in the summer so they can have shower baths.

I have twice found hummingbirds who were "out of gas" laying on the ground, motionless. Once in Mexico, once in Utah. I picked each up and let it lay in my palm as I put a teaspoon with a honey-water mixture under the end of its beak. In a few seconds, the tongue would emerge and start to slowly sample the liquid. Then more quickly and I could see it was drinking. Another few seconds of this and the bird was up and gone. Comatose to full speed flight in maybe 10 seconds. Couldn't afford a model airplane when I was a kid, but remember kids gassing them up for flight. Astonishing to do that with a hummingbird.

Great article. Questions for Dr. Walsh: 1. Is the torpor you mention related in any way to the metabolic/cardiovascular/respiratory reductions seen in mammals that hibernate? 2. As comments below show, there are millions of hummingbird feeders in the US alone, but they are nearly all providing a pure glucose solution. Would adding some corn syrup (fructose) be better for the birds? 3. In your opinion, does the proliferation of hummingbird feeders overall represent a positive or negative impact on the ecology of the species?

The nectar that people feed hummingbirds is just sugar and water. Do we know for sure that is adequate? What if the nectar they get out of natural sources have other nutrients, such vitamins, etc.?

I have a close encounter with one of these amazing creatures a couple years ago. I was strolling in this small Redwood Grove resided inside the San Francisco Botanic Garden; suddenly I heard this high-pitch sound and next thing I knew this little hummingbird was hovering right next to me. An amazing moment! Ever since I know hummingbirds are close by whenever I hear that sound.

As with other commenters here, I am charmed by these little birds (I live in the USA). We set out feeders in our side yard and am captivated by hummingbirds from our living room. Yet they also are highly competitive, trying to control access to the feeders by their fellow hummingbirds. It is a little disappointing that these little birds do not seem entirely happy. Indeed, they can be fierce, having seeming aerial "dogfights," and I believe, unnecessarily trying to control access to the feeders by their fellow hummingbirds. We provide enough sugar water for everyone; why must a few be so hostile?

We get several varieties of hummers here, both resident and migratory. My large garden is planted with nectar plants specifically chosen for butterflies and hummingbirds, so it can be like an acrobatic air show when the birds are displaying — zooming straight up into the sky, pausing a moment and roaring toward the earth before hitting the brakes. I’ve read that they make a small sonic boom with their feathers when they brake like that. They are so territorial that they whiz right by my head sometimes, and so curious that they will hover in front of my face and admire themselves in my sunglasses. I once rescued an exhausted hummer who had gotten stuck in my greenhouse. He paused for a few moments to collect himself, in the cup of my hand. He was so light air could not feel any weight, but I could feel his heart. It was like a humming insect. They breed here. I am amazed and puzzled when I find their down-lined thimble nests and broken eggshells. How could a baby bird be so tiny, and survive? How can their bones be so small?

The article and video are very informative. They are beautiful. We put a feeder out at the family cabin in Massachusetts in the summer. When we arrive to open the cabin in May before the feeder is out they will fly to the spot where it usually hangs, not having seen it in 9 months, with their migration between visits-pretty amazing.

As someone who studies hummingbirds, I appreciate the article (and Dr. Welch's research). I would, however, point out that the statement that hummingbirds "live on nectar" overlooks the fact that most species are also heavily insectivorous, feeding on midges and other small arthropods -- up to 60 percent of the diet, by one estimate, for ruby-throated hummingbirds in the East. Sugar provides the energy hit, but when a hummer is buzzing around your garden, it's consuming far more than just nectar.

Every year, I put out three hummingbird feeders (bright red ones) as well as grow heather and lavender and other assorted floral mixtures (begonias, fuchsia and coleus) to get their attention. Last year, one evening around dusk, two dozen little sweetie pies were fluttering about. And then, other days or weeks, not a bird to be seen. Some years, not a single bird comes by. I find these beautiful creatures as enchanting and captivating as I find them mysterious and intriguing. Every spring, I hope in anticipation of their return. If any hummingbird suffers from caloric bankruptcy, it's not because of a lack of nourishment available in the Keller yard.

I so love hummingbirds and cannot get enough of these articles on birds in general. James Gorman is wonderful.

I and several neighbors have hummingbird feeders - we have the ruby throat here. They generally have one off spring and the mom is bigger than dad and she chases him away from the feeder and eats first. The most different types of hummingbirds are found in the Sonora dessert - tons of flowers there. I also have several other seed feeders which are kept stocked year round. The pileated woodpecker is the real beauty. Also around here we have lots of trees and have a large population of Great Horned Owls and those Owls eat crows. Occasionally we hear crows frantically calling at night and that means an owl is having dinner. For those who don't know - crows eat young immature song birds whose beautiful songs we all love and the cawing of crows is not a thing of beauty. Also if crows spot a Great Horned Owl during daylight, the attack and try to kill the owl. I have personally witnessed this. In Africa, the Leopards have baboons at the top of their menu. Baboons delight in stealing food from human camp sights which makes them a pest - hooray leopards.

Amazing little birds. I have feeders out all year round for them in the NW. They continue to move farther north each year. They knew about global warming long before we did. I am a slave to their feeders on freezing nights. The thought of one dying due to lack of food is so painful. I have wrapped aquarium mats around my glass feeders during the day. It works.

If humming birds were the most intelligent, dominant species on the planet, they would be studying us. And they would be amazed at the physiologic adaptations, which allow us to survive and thrive on so few calories per day

I once read that hummingbirds virtually hibernate when they sleep and that is the reason they can live for up to 12 years. It was in a book called "Man Against Aging." The author De Ropp said that the shrew is close to the size and metabolism of a hummingbird but only lives about 2 years because it does not hibernate.

Watching the hummingbirds in my yard provides never ending fascination. When one of them stops on a branch long enough to rest and be observed, I consider it a privilege. Usually, they are constantly on the move, flying at what seems the speed of light to their next feeding opportunity.

Great article. What's even more mind blowing is that these amazing creatures migrate insane distances over water. This means that there metabolism is their worst enemy when they're unable to eat.

I fell in love with hummingbirds years ago. They are very special birds. There is a family of these little beauties living in my backyard. When their feeder is low, they will buzz my head and let me know they need a refill. Who can argue with that? And, who wouldn't find this both thrilling and hilarious? There is a supremely wonderful moment that occurs at just the right time each summer evening. As the sun sets, the feeder is framed in silhouette on a window near my desk. For a few fleeting minutes, I can see the hummers feeding before they bed down for the night. I wait patiently each year for these moments. They are precious.

As a long time watcher of these feathered jewels (multiple feeders maintained outside our windows April trhough October), I am always spellbound when I see the tiny Ruby Throated HB’s. They defy all reason and logic by their existence but sometimes reason and logic need to take a second place to sheer wonder. I am far from anti science and realize its importance to protect the planet and all species of life, as well the advance of progress. Yet I am at a loss as to the reason for studying these creatures so invasively. Perhaps I missed something that was explained herein as necessary to their survival.