Answers From The Expert

From: NEW YORK Q. What are the characteristics that allow a hummingbird to fly stationary? from Emily Doty Ms. Lobb's period 6 class Hudson Falls Middle School Hudson Falls, NY

A. When a bird flaps its wing forward it creates forces called 'lift' and 'thrust', which move the bird up and forward. Hummingbirds can rotate their wings backward, which creates downward 'lift' and backward 'thrust'. So by alternating flapping their wings forward and backward, the up and down forces and forward and back forces cancel each other out, so the hummingbird hovers in one place.

Q. If there were two males and one female hummingbird, and it was mating season, what do you think would happen? Which male would mate with the one female? from Angela Norton Ms. Lobb's period 5 class Hudson Falls Middle School Hudson Falls, NY

A. Male hummingbirds, along with many other animals, have what is known as a territory. A territory is simply an area that a male occupies and chases other males away from. A female hummingbird will visit a male's territory, at which time the male performs a courtship display to try to convince the female that he is the best male around. If she likes his display, she will mate with him. If not, she moves on to another territory.

Q. Approximately, how many hours does it take the ruby-throated hummingbird (if its wings beat 4 million times at a rate of 75 mph wing speed) to go from Brookfield, Vermont to Terra del Fuego? from Abbegail Therrien Ms. Lobb's period 5 class Hudson Falls Middle School Hudson Falls, NY

A. I'm not sure how long it might take a ruby-throat to go to Tierra Del Fuego. Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds only migrate as far as Panama. To go from Vermont down to the Gulf coast of the United States would take about 5 days, assuming it did not spend more than one day resting at any one place. To cross the Gulf of Mexico takes 18 hours if the weather is good, 24 hours if the weather is bad, so that is another day. It would then take another couple of days to reach its destination in Central America. So, with no big rest stops, it would take a hummingbird about a week to reach its wintering grounds. In reality, it takes about 2 weeks, since they do spend time at various places feeding, resting, and waiting for good weather. Hudson Falls Middle School hfmiddle@global2000.net

From: MINNESOTA Q. How fast does a hummingbird go in an hour?

A. Hummingbirds fly at 20-25 mph during migration.

Q. How long is a hummingbird's beak?

A. It depends on the hummingbird. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird beak is about 1 inch long. The Sword-billed Hummingbird of the tropics has a bill that's 3 inches long, longer than the rest of the bird!

Q. I live in Minnesota. When should I put out my hummingbird feeder? Sara

A. You could put it up around the middle of May. Belle Plaine 0716bpel@informns.k12.mn.us