Category: Dear Mom

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.  

Today marks the third anniversary of your death mom.  That truly doesn’t seem possible.  Where has the time gone?  It has passsed far too quickly for me and I am constantly struck by how right you were when you told me many years ago that time seems to pass more quickly as we each get older.  I  miss you each and every day.  There is so much that I miss about having you here with us.  This post is about many of these things.

I miss the simple things like getting to hear your voice and talk with you, your wonderful sense of humor, your strong love of family, your enjoyment of flowers, plants and even hummingbirds.  Whenever I see a hummingbird or discover some new and interesting information about them I wish that you were still living so that I could share it with you.  It is my desire to do this that as inspired this blog and I truly enjoy getting to share my love and knowledge of hummingbirds with others, because it is just one of the many ways I strive to honor your memory.

While time has somewhat eased the pain of losing you, even after all this time, there are times when the pain of your loss truly strikes me once again.  It just serves to remind me that we all only have one mom and that no one will ever take that special place or fill that void.  You will forever be in my heart and I will always love you.  You were truly a remarkable women and mom and I am remembering you with love today with great love.

Not many people have had the privilege of spotting a hummingbird’s nest, so count yourself lucky if you have had the privilege to do so.  Why don’t many people spot a hummingbird’s nest?  One reason for this maybe that the choice of a hummingbird’s nesting site is dependent on the temperature of the location.  Do you know why this is so important?  Well, if not you will discover the answer after reading this post.

Whenever selecting a nesting site the female must choose a location where the temperatures will remain below 96 degrees F.  Why?  The reason for this to help ensure that the eggs don’t literally fry in the extreme heat thus killing the embryos.  As a result, you will find more hummingbirds nest located at higher altitudes.  Hummingbirds will also commonly build their nest near the water, because the temperatures are known to be cooler there.

This post makes me think of my mom because I know that see would have enjoyed getting to witness the construction of a hummingbird nest, which I don’t believe she ever had the good fortune to do.  I would have also loved the opportunity to explain to her why the temperature of the nesting site is so very important.  Since that isn’t possible, I hope you have enjoyed the opportunity to discover this for yourself.