Birds4Kids.blogspot.com : Humming Birds

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NATURAL WORLD : BIRDS - HUMMING BIRDS




Humming Birds are the smallest birds in the world. In fact they are smaller than sparrows and only as big as your thumb. There are 350 species in different colours and hues. They can flap their wings around 50 times in a second. When they dive they flap even harder about 200 times per second. they can even twist and turn their wings in a figure 8 pattern. In fact this fast flapping helps them to hover at a spot. All you can hear is a low buzzing sound which is why they are called humming birds.


Their tiny size makes them easier to catch by lizards, snakes, frogs and larger birds. But because they are so tiny that they can hind behind a leaf or inside a large flower. They drink mostly nectar from flowers but may eat seeds and small insects too. Spiders and spiders' eggs are also a favourite food. The long narrow needle like bill helps them to lick and feed.
They may be tiny but they can fly 6000 km. for migrating to warmer regions for breeding. 


Do you know.....
Humming birds are the only birds that can fly backwards. Another interesting fact is that they have no sense of smell but can see very well. They love orange or red flowers.



Nest of a Humming Bird

     Their cup shaped nests are as small as half a        walnut shell and their eggs even tinier. They        weave them very cleverly using bits of                  leaves, twigs and use silken spider threads            to  attach them to branches and stems. They        choose safe locations like branches , dense            bushes or even the top of a cactus to keep             the nests safe.




Gardens and fields are their homes and they are very important for pollination, that is transferring pollen seeds from flower to flower that helps plants grow.

Let's talk about them.......


HUMMING BIRD

1. A humming bird is the smallest bird in the world.

2. It is only as big as my thumb.

3. This bird’s feathers are in all rainbow colours.

4. It drinks nectar with its long thin beak

5. It can fly backwards too.


Public Speaking

Note for educators and parents : Describe and explain with the help of information given on this page. Help the child memorize these lines and speak in front of a camera with actions.  Young Learners may post their videos and comments here.

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