Hummingbirds are fascinating birds, but how can we quantify just how fascinating these birds really are? There are many different numbers that quickly add up to hummingbird awesomeness!

Why Numbers Matter

Measurable, quantifiable numbers about hummingbirds help us study these birds and better understand their physical needs, behavioral habits, ranges, and more. This information can then support conservation efforts to protect hummingbirds, ensuring they will be around for even more birders to enjoy. As we learn more numbers about hummingbirds, we better appreciate just how truly fantastic these birds are, letting us marvel at each one that visits our yards, gardens, and feeders!

25 Phenomenal Numbers That Describe Hummingbirds

Let’s dive in one at a time and learn more about hummingbirds!

• 373 – Hummingbird Species
  There are 373 recognized individual hummingbird species known today. This number can vary between different ornithological organizations, however, particularly as new hummingbirds may be discovered or existing species split or lumped into new classifications.
• 15 – Species Seen in the US
  Just 15 hummingbird species are regularly seen in the United States. Some of those have very limited ranges in Arizona, Texas, or New Mexico, but can be seen if you know where to go. The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) has the biggest US range of any hummingbird species.
• 1 – Hummingbird Family
  Despite the vast number of hummingbirds, there is only one scientific family that all these bitty birds belong to – Trochilidae. This classification covers every hummingbird species, including coronets, streamertails, hermits, and more.
• 2.25 – Smallest Hummingbird
  The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the smallest hummingbird species at just 2.25 inches long. This truly tiny hummer is found only in Cuba.
• 8.5 – Biggest Hummingbird
  The aptly named giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest hummingbird in the world at 8.5 inches long, bigger than most chickadees, nuthatches, warblers and sparrows. Find this big boy in the Andes Mountains.
• 4 – Longest Bill
  The sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) has the longest bill compared to body size of any bird in the world. The 4-inch bill is longer than the hummingbird’s body if one doesn’t measure the tail.
• 975 – Average Number of Feathers
  Despite their tiny size, hummingbirds have hundreds of feathers! Smaller hummingbirds naturally have fewer feathers, though the larger hummingbird species can have up to 1,500 feathers.
• 3 – Average Weight
  Most hummingbirds weigh just about 3 grams, less than the weight of a nickel or about the same as an extra-large paperclip or three raisins.
• 20 – Minutes Between Meals
  During daylight hours, hummingbirds tend to sip from flowers or feeders every 20 minutes. This is how fast they digest food and they feed frequently to sustain their metabolic energy levels.
• 1,500 – Daily Flower Visits
  One hummingbird may visit as many as 1,500 flowers per day on their constant feeding schedule. The exact number depends on how much nectar each flower produces, how many birds visit the flower, and whether there are feeders available.
• 15 – Licks Per Second
  Hummingbirds don’t actually suck nectar into their bills, but they lick it up (like a dog drinks) at a rate of 15 licks per second. Some speedy drinkers are up to 20 licks per second!
• 1,260 – Heartbeats Per Minute
  With a high-energy diet and extreme metabolic needs, it’s no surprise that hummingbirds have speedy hearts. But 1,260 beats per minute is 21 beats per second, very speedy indeed!
• 50 – Wingbeats Per Second
  Another fast and furious statistic about hummingbirds is that their wings beat on average 50 times per second. For some species, it’s up to 80 times per second! No wonder their wings are a blur.
• 37 – Level Flight Speed
  With such speedy wingbeats, hummers can reach an average speed of 37 miles per hour in level, sustained flight.
• 60 – Dive Speed
  Hummingbirds get even speedier on courtship or aggressive dives when they are showing off their moves. Depending on the dive height, they can reach up to 60 miles per hour.
• 500 – Miles Across the Gulf of Mexico
  Even at the surprising speeds hummingbirds can reach, it still takes at least 12-13 hours for hummingbirds to cross the Gulf of Mexico while on seasonal migration, a 500-mile distance.
• 4,000 – Longest Hummingbird Migration
  If 500 isn’t enough distance for migration, try the route from Alaska to Mexico that the rufous hummingbird (Selasforus rufus) takes. These tiny birds cover up to 4,000 miles, the longest migration of any hummingbird species.
• 150 – Breaths Per Minute
  Out of breath just thinking of these fast and lengthy flights? Hummingbirds take roughly 150 breaths per minute to stay oxygenated for their physical efforts!
• 80 – Time Spent Perching
  It seems as if hummingbirds are bundles of energy, but in fact they spend roughly 80% of their time just perching and resting. This includes the overnight hours but also plenty of breaks during the day.
• 11.8 – Highest Voice
  Hummingbirds aren’t known for singing, but the black jacobin (Florisuga fusca) call is roughly 11.8 kilohertz, the highest pitched bird call of any species. This is still within the range of human hearing but could be tough for older ears to distinguish.
• 4 – Average Lifespan
  Small birds don’t tend to have long lifespans, and the typical lifespan of a wild hummingbird is 3-5 years, with 4 years being the overall average.
• 8 – Old Age
  The most “senior” hummingbirds routinely reach 8 years of age according to the banding records of different species.
• 12 – Oldest Hummingbird
  The oldest hummingbird on record was a female broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) banded in Colorado, who was confirmed to live at least 12 years.
• 2 – Eggs Laid
  Looking ahead to the next generation, hummingbirds lay an average of just two eggs per nest. The eggs are tiny, barely the size of coffee beans!
• 0 – Cavity-Nesting Hummingbirds
  There are no, zero, zilch hummingbird species that use cavities or houses of any kind for nesting. Do not fall for cutesy houses with photoshopped hummers or decorative houses supposedly sized for these bitty birds. Instead, small ledges or artificial branches can attract nesting hummingbirds and you can start adding up hummer numbers of your own!