Costa's Hummingbird

(Calypte costae)

The male Costa's Hummingbird is notable by its violet crown and throat. Hummingbirds in general are different from other birds in many ways - one being flight. They can fly sideways, up or down, backwards, and even upside down. While most of these birds flap their wings 50 times a second, some can reach the incredible rate of 200 beats per second. They achieve flight momentum from the down-stroke as well as the up-stroke. One will never see a hummingbird walk -- their legs are so weak it is easier for them to fly one foot than it is to walk the distance.

Because they have such a high energy expenditure, the hummingbird must feed constantly. The majority of their diet consists of flower nectar though they also consume small insects and pollen. On an average, the hummingbird will consume 2/3 of its weight in a single day. If one were to translate the calories processed by a hummingbird to a person, we would have to eat twice our weight each day. It is also interesting to note that the tongue of this bird is forked and can make over 10 laps a second.

Pictures - Above: Male Costa's; Below: Female Costa's