Hummingbirds are notably unique due to their small size, prolonged hovering and backward flight, also, their breeding areas which are wide-ranging. The breeding areas consist of cold zones where the small size of the Hummingbird is a significant thermal disadvantage and in addition to the use of their nectar energy sources. They have small, feeble legs and feet, which are not used for walking but only for perching. Hummingbirds are extremely capable of aerial acrobats and just move around by flying (Malone, 2017). The birds can fly quickly over a short distance, and the hovering skills help them when feeding on nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds play a vital role ecologically, as they aid in pollination of flowers of different species of vines and shrubs, most of which are precisely adapted to being pollinated by hummingbirds. In the quest to adapt to its environment and the ability to obtain nectar as a source of energy, the hummingbird has anatomical adaptations that help in searching food sources.
Hummingbirds can survive in several climates as they have evolved to display unique adaptations and anatomy. The birds are easily identified by their small size, bright color, beaks that are a long and swift movement of the wings. There are 300 varieties of hummingbirds that are known to be in existence currently, and their environments vary from humid to temperate weathers. The birds are mostly fond of feeding on bright colored flowers. The birds possess a long, narrow bill, which permits them to scope nectar from tube-like, brightly colored floras (Malone, 2017). The birds also fodder on insects and have a flexible lower bill that makes them capable of grasping insects from the air in the course of the flight. Just like the beak, their tongue is quite long covered with hair on the tip, which helps them to pull more nectar from the flowers. The brain of the hummingbirds has a brilliant memory that allows them to remember any feeding source that they may have used in the past. The mind of the hummingbird account for a considerable percent of the bird's weight, and in the bird kingdom, the hummingbirds are known to have the most significant brain proportion to the size of their body.
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The eyes of the hummingbird are positioned on the side of the head, and they are substantial compared to the bird size, they are protected by approximately 12 bones known as ossicles. The size and position of the birds’ eyes permit the bird to have a good view of the front and both sides concurrently. The hummingbirds can be able to observe colors as human beings and also hold the ability to see infrared wavelengths. During the flight, the hummingbird heart rate is tremendously high, which can reach to nearly 1,250 heart beats for every minute and when inactive the heart rate falls to around 250 heart rhythms in an instant. The heart beat rate aids in the quick blood circulation, distributing oxygen to the muscles in the process of swift muscle movements of flight. The lungs aid in the delivery of oxygen into the bloodstream and the cooling of the hummingbird. The rate of respiration for the hummingbirds is about 250 breaths in a minute, which approximates to four breaths per second. During the flight, the hummingbirds use main muscles which are known as pectoralis majors. Pectoralis majors are almost made entirely of type 1 which is a fast-twitch muscle filament, which allows the wings to beat for nearly 200 periods in a second (Malone, 2017). Different from other birds the hummingbirds can fly in both forward and backward directions as well as change the directions quickly. The joint at the shoulder let the wings to revolve for up to 180 degrees, making the fast and vital movements.
The most plentiful and familiar source of hummingbird food is nectar which is found in flowers. The necessary energy for the high metabolism, rapid flight, and the vigorous activities is derived from a significant amount of sucrose from nectar. The liquidity of nectar also supplies the hummingbirds with the critical water as the birds do not drink water from other sources. They are soluble solids found in the nectar which comprises of amino acids and disaccharides. Although not most common, different classes of compounds have been found in nectar which includes liquids, proteins, alkaloids, phenols and volatile which are the source of energy for the hummingbirds. Sugar, fluids and amino acids are the most nutritional valuables of the nectar components (González-Teuber, & Heil, 2009). However, the birds must also eat other things to have a balanced and healthy diet, as the nectar does not meet all the needs for proteins, minerals, vitamins as well as amino acids.
Insects are essential food sources for the hummingbirds as they provide the birds with fat, salts and proteins. These crucial components cannot be entirely derived from the nectar, especially for the swiftly growing hatchlings. The Hummingbirds usually hunt insects in different ways which include picking them from leaves, barks or flowers. In a day an adult hummingbird must consume several dozen of insects to have the required amount of protein in a healthy diet (Denise, Righetti, & Sluys, 2007). Hummingbirds are also known to feed on insects that compete with them or are found in the floral nectar.
Hummingbirds help in the pollination of plants when its nostril and beak are used to move pollen from one plant to another. Nectar, therefore, has several vital functions in the plant; it is essential for the plant reproductive system as it attracts hummingbirds as the pollinators and rewards them with energy. Nectar also attracts other insects, some of whom defend the plant as well as act as food to the hummingbirds.
References
Denise D. C., Righetti De Abreu, V. H., & Sluys, M. V. (2007). The effect of hummingbird flower mites on nectar availability of two sympatric heliconia species in a brazilian atlantic forest . PMC. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533618/.
González-Teuber, M., & Heil, M. (2009). Nectar chemistry is tailored for both attraction of mutualists and protection from exploiters. PMC. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802787/.
Malone, M. (2017). Hummingbird adaptations . New York: Whalerock Digital Media, LLC.
