Author: Hummingbird

Hi, Hummingbird here. Today’s post isn’t about hummingbirds.  I must explain my need to undergo shoulder surgery.  By the time you read this, I will have already undergone shoulder surgery earlier today.  The need for the shoulder surgery is a direct result of a fall I took while in the shower back in early January of this year.  In May of this year, I was finally diagnosed as having a completely torn right rotator cuff, thus the need for surgery. 

The surgery was originally scheduled to take place in May of this year, but I chose to postpone it due to my fear that the area where I live would experience another hurricane this year and that it would then require that we evacuate the area for an unknown length of time.  You may be wondering why this scenario would have effected  my ability to have had the surgery.   Let me explain.

I am in a wheelchair and do not have the ability to walk.  Therefore, I use my arms to help me do everything from standing, transferring and almost anything else you can imagine.  Think of it this way, I use my arms like most people would use their legs, so I did not want to have the surgery previously in the event it became necessary to leave the area.

My surgery has been rescheduled and will take place today before you ever read this post.  I am expected to remain in a local hospital only overnight, but then after that I will require an extended stay in a local nursing home for between 2-3 months, due to not being able to put any real amount of weight on the arm until then.  That’s right, I did say 2-3 months.  The exact length of my stay there will depend on the speed at which I am able to heal and my overall progress following surgery. 

I am telling you this, so that you will understand why the new post will eventually stop for quite some time following the surgery.  This will not happen immediately following today’s post because I am trying to write as many as post in advance of going into the hospital and having them automatically post on a specified date.

Thanks, in advance, for your understanding in this matter.  I will be back as quickly as my health will allow me to do so and I look forward to continuing to share with you all kinds of information about hummingbirds. 

Have you ever considered the exact number of hummingbird species which exist?  Or whether any of those same species might be considered to be endangered?  Well, if so then this post will provide you with the answers you are seeking and much more.

There are a wide number of hummingbird species.  The exact number of species will depend on the specific source which you consult.  One source source I consulted indicated that there were between 330-340 different species while another one stated that there are some 356 different species of hummingbirds.  Regardless, there are a vast number of hummingbird species.

Of the various hummingbird species, are there any which are considered to be endangered?  Yes, according to the Word of Hummingbirds website there are some 51 different species of hummingbirds which have some type of endangered species status.

Now, you may be wondering just what the term endangered means in this particular situation.  Endangered means that the 51 different hummingbird species that currently have this status are in danger of extinction unless immediate protective measures are taken.

It is a shame that so many different hummingbirds could be lost forever unless immediate protective measures are taken.  I hope that the correct measures can be taken to help ensure the survival of these different hummingbird species so that they will still remain for future generations to enjoy.

Hummingbird flight is an amazing thing to watch.  These tiny little dynamos of flight can put on quite the aerial display.  Did you ever consider the act of fight would not be possible without what is known as flight feathers.  This post explains what is meant by the term flight feathers and some other facts about hummingbird feathers.  

The flight the flight feathers of the hummingbird are made up of the broad, stiff feathers of the hummingbird’s wings that make the act of flight actually possible.  The feathers are divided into two categories:  the primaries or what is known as the outer feathers and the secondaries or the inner feathers.

A hummingbird of average size will have about 940 feathers.  Does that seem like a lot to you?  It does to me only because these birds are so extremely tiny.  It may also fascinate you to discover that hummingbirds have the greatest number of feathers per square inch on their body then any other type of bird in the animal kingdom.

Interesting facts or information about hummingbirds makes me think of you mom.  Today’s post is no different.  Did you know that some species of hummingbirds have what is known as a helmet?  Well, it’s true they do.  It is only found on certain species of hummingbirds though.  Why is this?  I don’t know the answer to this question.

So, what is the helmet on a hummingbird?  The helmet is a bright-colored area located on the forehead and crown of some hummingbirds, but not all hummingbird species have this.