Hummingbirds are often seen as creatures of perpetual motion, their wings a blur as they dart from flower to flower. This constant activity can lead to the impression that these tiny birds are always in flight. However, despite their extraordinary aerial abilities, hummingbirds do spend a significant portion of their lives perched. This article explores why and how these dynamic aviators take a break from the air.
The Truth About Hummingbird Perching
The belief that hummingbirds never stop flying stems from their remarkable hovering capabilities and high metabolic rate. Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to remain suspended in mid-air while feeding. This intense activity requires constant energy, leading to the perception they must continuously fly.
Hummingbirds do not perish if they stop flying; this misconception is often fueled by the idea they lack feet. In reality, perching is a routine and necessary part of a hummingbird’s daily life. They are fully capable of landing and standing, though their leg structure prevents walking or hopping.
Why and When Hummingbirds Perch
Perching serves important functions for hummingbirds, primarily related to energy conservation. Given their exceptionally high metabolic rates, among the fastest in the animal kingdom, resting on a perch allows them to conserve vast amounts of energy that constant flight would consume. They can spend as much as 80% of their time perching.
Hummingbirds perch to rest between feeding sessions, to digest their food, and to sleep. At night, especially in cooler temperatures, they enter a deep, sleep-like state called torpor. Their metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature drop significantly, sometimes by as much as 95%, a crucial strategy for surviving periods without food.
Beyond energy conservation, perching also facilitates other behaviors. Hummingbirds use perches for preening and maintaining their feathers. They also utilize perches as lookout points to scan for insects, an important part of their diet, and to survey their territory for competitors or predators. Male hummingbirds often select high, open perches to vocalize and display their dominance.
How and Where Hummingbirds Perch
Hummingbirds possess a unique leg and foot structure highly adapted for perching, not walking or hopping. Their tiny legs are strong enough to support their body weight. Each foot has four toes—three forward, one backward—allowing them to grip surfaces securely with curved claws. This grip allows their claws to lock onto a perch, keeping them stable even during torpor.
While they cannot walk or hop, hummingbirds can move sideways along a perch to adjust their position. They prefer thin branches, twigs, and even stiff leaves in trees and bushes. They also perch on man-made structures like wires, clotheslines, and feeder perches.
The choice of perching location often depends on the bird’s purpose. Males often choose open, elevated spots for territorial surveillance and displays. Females, especially during breeding season, select more hidden perches for camouflage and protection. Providing natural perches, such as small branches or shrubs, near food sources can encourage hummingbirds to frequent a yard.