# Hummingbird (DD-088)

> Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds and have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal. Their wings beat about 10 to 80 times a second depending on species, and they may visit hundreds of flowers a day, drinking large amounts of nectar relative to their body weight. They also eat small insects and spiders for protein.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2023-11-21
- Last updated: 2023-11-21
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/hummingbird/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-088-F01**: They are among the smallest birds. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Small))_
- **DD-088-F02**: Their metabolism is extremely high. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism))_

## Write-up

Some hummingbirds beat their wings up to 80 times a second. They may visit hundreds of flowers a day.

1. **Small**: They are among the smallest birds.
2. **Metabolism**: Their metabolism is extremely high.
3. **Wingbeats**: Wings beat up to about 80 times a second.
4. **Flowers**: They visit hundreds of flowers.
5. **Protein**: They eat insects and spiders.

## Related case files

- [Nectar Collectors (DD-175)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nectar-collectors/): I linked more nectar feeders

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel gives 50 to 80 wingbeats per second; larger species beat their wings more slowly, around 10 to 15 times a second.

## Video: Hummingbird: Some Hummingbirds Beat Their Wings up to 80 Times a Second

- Duration: 32.5 s · Published: 2023-11-21
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/Cz7FXutpDQu.mp4

### Transcript

Hummingbirds have incredible metabolism and energy consumption. Did you know? Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds, yet they have an extremely high metabolism to support their energetic lifestyle. Now the reason this is so fascinating to me is because to fuel their rapid wing beats, which can range from 50 to 80 beats per second, hummingbirds need to consume large amounts of food. A hummingbird can visit hundreds of flowers in a single day and feed multiple times its body weight in nectar. To maintain their energy levels, hummingbirds feed on nectar-rich flowers, supplementing their diet with small insects and spiders for protein. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How fast can wings beat?**  
A: Small species. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Small) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird)_

**Q: What do they mainly drink?**  
A: Sugary. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird)_

**Q: Where do they get protein?**  
A: Small prey. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Wingbeats) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird)_

**Q: How many flowers a day?**  
A: To fuel up. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Flowers) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird)_

**Q: How is their metabolism?**  
A: Among the highest. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Protein) · Wikipedia: Hummingbird)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Hummingbird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Hummingbird." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-088, last updated Nov 21, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/hummingbird/