Seemingly fragile, the hummingbird
is one of the most ferocious animals in the animal
kingdom. Described as durable, feisty and territorial,
hummingbirds will defend their space when threatened.
Airborne battles are their specialty.
Known for their endless energy and
unlimited capacity for joy, hummingbirds are very
small birds with high metabolisms. Feeding almost
constantly, hummingbirds can consume up to 50% of
their weight in sugar water or nectar each day.
Hummingbirds can fly in all directions
like a helecoptor and their wings flap on average
50 times per second, but can flap up to 200 times
per second. Naturally this action is a blur to the
human eye. The flapping creates a buzz or a humm
that can be heard yards away.
The hummingbird is an extraordinary
creature that captures the imagination of all who
view them. Hummingbird myths
are told by Native Americans and other indigenous
Indians. They can be found carved in Totem Poles
and other ceremonial artifacts. They are used as
good luck charms and elicit stories of mythical
powers.
One Mayan legend tells a story of
the hummingbird being created from small scraps
of leftover feathers used to create larger birds.
The Creator, pleased with the creation called upon
other creatures to wed the new hummingbirds in a
lavish ceremony. A Navajo legend says the hummingbird
has seen beyond the blue sky to reveal nothing exists
beyond what we see. Hopi, Zuni and Pueblo legends
tell of the kind and generous spirit of the hummingbird,
which when called upon can bring rain during droughts
and food during famines. Hummingbirds are also said
to be couriers. Gifts of love are sent to the Great
Mother who lives beneath the Earth using hummingbirds.
One Indian tale describes the hummingbird as the
sun itself dancing upon the Earth to win the heart
of the moon.
Modern day
Christians also marvel at the hummingbird, often
citing it as “scientific proof” evolution
is not an all inclusive theory. Because the hummingbird
seemingly defies all laws of physics, some Christians
theorize the aerodynamic marvel cannot be replicated
without God’s hand.
Scientists
say hummingbird fossils date back 30 million years.
In fact, some scientists believe some flower species
have changed over time due the hummingbird’s
unique feeding methods. The symbiotic relationship
between the bird and the flower is "proof"
that co-evolution exists. Scientists use the the
term to describe the process as a simultaneous evolution
of species.
Here is a beautiful story about
the origin of the hummingbird: http://irisarian.dynip.com/birds/MayanHummers.htm
Read about the “marvels of
micro-engineering” on The National Geographic’s
website: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0701/feature4/index.html
