I have a fascination with hummingbirds. They are like mini helicopters, able to hover, fly backward, and dart in all directions without hitting anything. I have several feeders around my home, and these little hummers will let me know when they are empty or need fresh nectar by hovering outside my office window or by the front door. Hummingbirds are brilliant. They may have small bodies, but their brains are enormous. At 4.2% of their body weight, it's the largest of all birds. Human brains account for just 2% of the body weight. Hummingbirds remind us that small things can do great things and that we should not judge something by appearance. Their chittering tells me the level of urgency related to their food. Hummingbirds are voracious eaters. Their metabolism is very rapid, and they expend a lot of energy. This means they have to eat all the time. Some consume up to 15 times their body weight in food daily. They remind us to be healthy, use what we need, and leave the rest.
Hummingbirds are named for the sound their wings make, which sounds like a hum. This hum is caused by how fast they beat their wings, which can be anywhere from 12 to 80 beats per second, allowing them to hover like a dragonfly. They are also the only family of birds that can fly in reverse, and they can fly at speeds of 34mph or faster. They have quite a sweet tooth and will not drink any less than 10 percent sugar nectar. However, nectar doesn't provide all the nutrients the hummingbird needs. To make up the difference, they snack on insects and spiders. They are welcome to have as many insects and spiders as they'd like around my property. I've noticed more webbing as the spiders also begin to plan for winter.
I've put out a few more feeders for the hummingbirds this time of year. Their natural source of nectar begins to wane, and they begin their migratory routes soon. I'm sad when they leave for the season and mark my calendar for their return in spring. There are websites with maps that monitor their progress, no doubt maintained by their human fan club they entertain along their journey.
Hummingbirds take 250 breaths a minute. Their hearts beat 1,200 times per minute, and they flutter their wings at 50 times per second. Hummingbirds remind us to breathe, keep going, trust our bodies and processes, and honor our humaness. They remind us to breathe and move with intent while being one with the air in movement.
A few years ago, I was painting my backyard when my neighbor approached me with a tiny hummingbird in his open hands. He'd found the bird lying on the sidewalk and didn't know what to do. Rather than walk around him or leave him to die, he thought to bring him to me, knowing I have feeders out for them. I didn't know what to do with this tiny hummingbird. I put him in a small box lined with tissue and some flowers and drove him through rush hour to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota before they closed for the evening. I am not alone in the humans who would step in to help or save a small creature that needs help. A small creature that brings us joy and reminds us to be joyful and light. To go with the flow and be adaptable when you need to hover or move in different directions. Trust that the route is there for you to get where you need to go.
I trust my route, and the insights nature provides.
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