Category: Hummingbirds

Have you ever wondered just what is the normal heart rate of a hummingbird?  If so, then I have the answer for you.  The answer actually depends on whether or not you are referring to when the hummingbird is normally active or in a state of torpor.  A normally active hummingbird will have a heart rate of 1260 beats per minute.  When in a state of torpor, which is a state very similar to hibernation, the hart rate of a torpid hummingbird will be between 50 -180 beats per minute.

Isn’t it amazing the difference in the heart rate depending of the activity level of the bird?  It certainly came as a surprise to me when I first discovered this.  I hope that you will find this information to be both interesting and informative at the same time. 

Some seven different species of hummingbirds have been documented in Oklahoma. They are the following species:the Black-chinned Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Calliope Hummingbird, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird, the Anna’s Hummingbird and the Green Violet-eared Hummingbird.

The male hummingbirds will begin arriving in Oklahoma about mid-March and the females begin arriving in early April. The hummingbirds will leave the area around mid-October, but rarely you may have the opportunity to see a hummingbird that will choose to winter over in Oklahoma.

I have a number of relatives that live in Oklahoma and this post was written with all of them in mind.So Donna, Jeanie, Sue and gang I hope you find this post informative and useful to you. I hope that this will help them and anyone else discover the species of hummingbirds which are found in the state of Oklahoma.

The process of molting is when a bird will loose their feathers a few at a time.  This will occur symmetrically or one from each side in order not to affect flight.  The length of the entire process various from either weeks or months depending on the time of year it is occurring and the species of bird.  This process would not be noticeable to the casual birdwatcher.

Hummingbirds will begin to molt between September to November.  It will then take several weeks for each feather to regain its size and shape.

Why is molting necessary?  Molting allows the bird to replace their worn out feathers with new ones.  Feathers are vitally important to the bird.  The feathers help provide weather protection for the bird and in some bird species  (not hummingbirds) the molting process can even help the birds attract a mate.

Are you new to birdwatching?  Have you just moved to a new area of the country?  Are you just learning to identify the various species of hummingbirds in your area?  If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, then today’s post will be of interest to you, because it offers you a list of the various hummingbird species and where these birds are found.  http://www.naturehaven.com/Hummingbird/hummingbird.html

       WESTERN MOUNTAIN SPECIES

• Black-chinned
• Broad-tailed
• Calliope
• Rufous

• Buff-bellied
• Ruby-throated

• Allen’s
• Anna’s
• Black-chinned
• Broad-tailed
• Calliope
• Costa’s
• Rufous

• Allen’s
• Anna’s
• Black-chinned
• Blue-throated
• Broad-billed
• Broad-tailed
• Calliope
• Costa’s
• Magnificent
• Berylline (uncommon)
• Lucifer (uncommon)
• Violet-crowned (uncommon)
• White-eared (uncommon)
• Plain-capped (rare)
• Green Violet-ear (rarely found also in the midwestern region of country)

It is my hope that by providing you this list you will have a better knowledge of the various hummingbird species that are found in the region of the county where you live.  Thus enabling you to learn about these hummingbird species and thereby enrich your birdwatching experience.  Happy hummingbird watching everyone!

There are some 28 different species of hummingbirds that currently being threatened with extinction.  Of that number, there are some 8 different species that are considered to be critically endangered, which means that these same species stand a 50 percent chance of becoming extinct within just 10 years.

The Juan Fernandez Firecrown Hummingbird is one of the eight critically endangered species of hummingbirds.  There are many reasons  that are causing this species to face extinction.  The native flora and fauna of this species of hummingbird faces problems because too many foreign seeds, plants, and animals are being introduced there.  There are also dangers from new predators.  One of the greatest threats facing this species is due to human destruction of their habitat due to homes, farming, grazing, etc.

The loss of just one Juan Fernandez Firecrown results in a loss of one-half of 1 percent of the entire species population!  Totally shocking!