We had no idea they go into torpor, and how cold their bodies get as well as how high their normal body temperature is. They are amazingly adapted to not only their nutritional needs but their environment. Truly amazing!

Nothing so far.  At least about the birds.  I am happy to see people helping us learn more about the life that surrounds. us.

Was surprised that 90% of their diet is nectar.  Learned they spend 75% of their day perching to conserve energy.  And, was surprised that they are almost invisible when in tarpor.

That hummingbirds really perch. I’ve been watching a hummingbird perch outside in a tree near my window but I kept telling myself, it can’t be a hummingbird because hummingbirds always fly. So, it was really good to learn that my observation was right and I really was seeing a hummingbird and not another bird.

I find the torpor fascinating! I live in Alberta, Canada so it can get quite cool here at night, even in the months that we see hummingbirds. It was really interesting to me that a hummingbird has been recorded with a body temperature down to 3 C!!

I didn't know hummingbirds ate insects. I also found the description of the tongue structure and function very interesting!

The sheer diversity in appearance of hummingbird species I've never seen before (in Southern America) astounds me, along with nectar robbing and how their tongue works.

Amaze by the anatomy, wing structure, tongue structure and the way it functions. Also there basic needs in terms of feeding. Very interesting.

What surprised me the most was there are fewer Hummingbirds in the United States than in Central and South America.  Ruth

I’ve seen several explanations of how the forked tongue works, but never heard about it wrapping around their skull!  That is amazing.

I was amazed by so many things!  I now have a better understanding of how hummingbirds fly and can hover.  What I found most surprising was the complicated structure of their tongues, their elongated hand bones, how many mitochondria they have and how some species have adapted a strategy of nectar robbing.   I now wonder how long on average it takes for flowers to refill with nectar and when hummingbirds are in torpor if they are usually perched or lying flat somewhere safe?

I was most surprised about the structure of their tongue, how its forked and wraps around their skull. I was only aware of woodpeckers having tongues that wrapped around their skulls.

I didn't know that hummingbirds eat so many insects!  I thought their primary food source was nectar.  I also didn't realize that they spend so much time perching.  Now I have looked for them perching in the trees outside my window.

Hummingbirds are amazing! The female does all the work. She builds the nests and raises her young. Out here in California, the Anna’s Hummingbird lives here year around. Give or take a day or two, Twenty seven days from egg to fledgling. The female Hummingbirds are magnificent carpenters. The nests are constructed strong and have some flex to them. Spider webs, moss, toilet paper and lichen all this material is use to make the nest out west

Yes and no. I knew about torpor and how they lower their body temperature. I did wonder though how long it took for them to come out of torpor

Torpor is a new concept.  How long does it take for the bird to "come out of" the torpor state?

Our friend has a hummingbird who will perch on their empty suet feeder throughout much of the day. If a Carolina wren comes to see if there is suet, the hummingbird will chase it off just so it can sit there! They really do perch so much more often than you realize, they're just hard to see cause they're so small :) love this course!

I just wonder if torpor makes hummingbirds more vulnerable to predators, at night?  Or do they hide very well among shrubs, or trunk holes...? Or maybe because they are quite cold, night predators will not find them so easily? If anyone knows I would love to hear! Thank you, Liliana

This is so interesting. Never knew this about hummingbirds. I'm in the east so only have seen the ruby throated but always a delight to see them return in the spring.

Incredibly fascinating how hummingbirds use torpor while sleeping to conserve energy. I had no idea that was how they did it!

I had no idea how their nectar sipping worked and find this very fascinating!

I wonder if hummingbirds are especially vulnerable to predators when in torpor. I would worry about cats in particular. They are so beautiful! I love the incredible variety of shapes, sizes, feathers, and specializations with flowers.

While I knew they moved their wings in a different way that other birds I did not realize the structural differences. I found the fact that the muscles used to fly make up 1/4 of their body weight. My little guy likes to sleep at the feeder, only once did he seem to go into torpor there, he ended up hanging upside down.

I was surprised to learn how many species of hummingbirds there are in the world - far more than I ever imagined. Their energy-conserving adaptations, such as torpor, are quite amazing, but make perfect sense now that I know more about their high metabolism and energy consumption. Truly wonderful birds.

Quite amazing