Fueling Migration: How Hummingbirds Keep Their Engines Running

Hummingbirds

Fueling Migration
How Hummingbirds Keep Their Engines Running
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Nectar from Flowers Hummingbirds find fast fuel in flower nectar. The sweet fluid flows up their long, grooved tongues and into their mouths.

Your backyard feeders can also give hummingbirds a quick source of energy. Good thing, too, because they may need to "gas up" every 15 minutes throughout the day!

Nectar from Feeders Your backyard feeders can also give hummingbirds a quick source of energy. Good thing, too, because they may need to "gas up" every 15 minutes throughout the day!

Hummingbirds eat both plant and animal material. These tiny omnivores get protein and fat from insects and small spiders. The hummingbirds will need this slow-burning energy to fuel their long migrations.

More than Nectar Hummingbirds eat both plant and animal material. These tiny omnivores get protein and fat from insects and small spiders. The hummingbirds will need this slow-burning energy to fuel their long migrations.

When food sources are scarce hummingbirds get a little help from their friends. These savvy birds feed on the sweet sap from small holes drilled in trees by yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Hummers also dine on insects stuck in the sap.

Savvy Survivors When food sources are scarce hummingbirds get a little help from their friends. These savvy birds feed on the sweet sap from small holes drilled in trees by yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Hummers also dine on insects stuck in the sap.

At night, and when it is too cold or rainy to find food, hummingbirds go into a sleep-like state called torpor. The bird's body temperature to drop and their heart rate to slow down. This adaptation allows hummers to conserve energy.

Conserving Energy At night, and when it is too cold or rainy to find food, hummingbirds go into a sleep-like state called torpor. The bird's body temperature to drop and their heart rate to slow down. This adaptation allows hummers to conserve energy.

Take a look outside. Do you think your outdoor habitat is ready for hummingbirds? Identify places where hummers might find the food they need to keep their engines running.

Your Backyard Habitat Take a look outside. Do you think your outdoor habitat is ready for hummingbirds? Identify places where hummers might find the food they need to keep their engines running.

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Driving Question

How do hummingbirds get the energy they need for migration?