How hummingbirds use their wings to create lift on upstrokes as well as downstrokes, and hover or fly backwards wins for me.

I learned that a hummingbird has a high body temperature of 108 (41 C.) degrees and this is one reason why they need to feed so often, to maintain that temperature. I find it even more amazing that they can lower their body temperature during torpor when their regular body temperature is so high.

I learned about their very long tongues. I had wondered if flowers produced more nectar after a Hummingbird fed and got the answer. I also didn't realize that Hummers were only in North America, silly me.  And I learned how many degrees they are able to lower body temp at night!   Wonderful course!

The feather specifications and how they fly!

I think this course is incredible! I've always had a deep passion for hummingbirds, and fortunately during two trips to Ecuador I was able to experience seeing and interacting with so many I can't even remember all the different species, although some include the Collared Inca, the Sword-Billed Hummingbird, the Long-tailed Sylph, White-necked Jacobin, and the Velvet-purple Coronet. I found it fascinating to learn more about how they survive extreme conditions, and I didn't know about torpor. It was also fascinating to me to learn more about their anatomy, such as their wings. Thank you for this amazing course that was equally engaging, fun, and educational.

Thank you very much for the course, really very good; I live in Ecuador and I can say that there are a large number of hummingbirds, especially in the western part of the Andes mountain range. Thanks to the climate, which is sunny in the mornings most of the year, spectacular photographs can be taken even just with a cell phone. In the afternoon it gets fogy and cloudy but you can still enjoy the hummingbirds. Thank you very much for the information provided in the course. Juan Pablo

Before this course, I didn't realize that hummingbirds were only in the Western Hemisphere, although I did notice the absence of them in Australia and New Zealand. There were some assumptions that I had based on North American hummingbirds that were dispelled, such as believing that all hummingbirds migrated. Additionally, this course helped me to appreciate all the ways that hummingbirds are unique throughout the world.

The most memorable piece of information I learned from this course is that hummingbirds have a tongue to help sip the nectar.  The tongue moves so fast I could not see it.  There are such beautiful movies in this piece of information on hummingbirds.  Thank you for sharing this information in this course.  Ruth

I have no images to present to the Bird Academy.  Hummingbirds have been a beautiful view of our bird world.  Ruth Bates

I loved learning about the different types of hummingbirds, also that they were only found in North and South America, I had no idea they were endemic to only this side of the world!

I now have learnt so much more about my seasonal backyard visitors, the Ruby-throated hummers, and about the species in general, that my admiration for these little birds has grown immensely. Most memorable piece of information?  I was amazed by the way the sip the nectar, how they manage to get it from different flowers, and the way they remove it from their tongues afterwards.  It was also very interesting to learn why they can fly and hover as they do, and of course, I enjoyed a lot their antics and their ways to attract females. Everything was super interesting, not a boring moment!

I loved learning that hummingbirds use spider webs to make their nests!

The course was a joy to take and learn about these amazing little birds.  The feather changes was very scientific and so appreciated.  I sat and laughed when I saw the birds tongues because I could not figure out how the birds sipped.  Do the birds sip and taste? Thank you for the professional instruction. Ruth Bates,

The entire course was fascinating and so very well presented. I learned so much about every aspect of these charming little critters. We don't have Hummingbirds in Australia, so every lesson was new territory. I have seen them when we visited Canada a few years ago . It was such a thrill! Thank you for this wonderful course.

Thank you so much for providing this course. I found the way the information was presented was very easily digestible and made this course fun to go through. Living in the northeast United States, I knew some hummingbirds migrated, but I had no idea how far some actually go! Also, I didn't know how iridescent feathers worked before this course. I can't wait to set up a nectar feeder and garden to encourage hummers to visit.

I was intrigued by nectar robbing... unaware that hummingbirds did this. I recently observed a ruby-throated hummingbird in my own yard getting nectar from a Rose-of-Sharon flower by coming at the flower from the underside. I had never observed that before. The entire course was great!

I think the most memorable was how iridescence and hummingbird flight work. Having moving animations or slow-mo video was really helpful in understanding the concepts, much more so than just still pictures alone. Also it was great to see Glenn Bartley and hear his photography tips. I love his Hummingbird book!

The fact that these lil birds go into Torpor is memorable for sure but there was just so much more. I also loved learning about how many species of hummingbirds there are and the migration of one of my favorites, The Rufous! I appreciated the photography tips and loved the art history.

The most memorabilia piece of information learned in this course it’s been the capability that hummingbirds have to torpor-

I loved the section on history especially.  Thank you. And yes, the tongue was especially fascinating.

The mechanisms of the tongue!  What did the scientist do to figure out that one?

How to choose one memorable piece! Torpor - amazing. Wing structure - fascinating. Iridescence - I knew some of this, but not the depth of detail provided. Thank-you for such an interesting, engaging course.

The facts about the bone structure in the wings fascinated me. also seeing and learning about so many different kinds of hummers, their habits, nesting style. migration also was interesting. As I have said previously, I had a hard time grasping and understanding the essence of iridescence section! However I loved the entire course and appreciate the efforts that were put into presenting it.Thank you. i shall return to the course often.

Hard to pick one. Mechanics of nectar-feeding, info on torpor, feeding in bark-holes made by sapsuckers, and lack of paternal care - all stand out. Also the large diversity of hummingbirds, and contrast of diversity here (eastern US) with e.g. Columbia.