Hummingbirds are the smallest of all birds, measuring between 2.5-8 inches (6-20 cm).

There are between 330 and 352 species of hummingbirds in the New World, most of which are found in the tropics. There are no hummingbirds in the Eastern Hemisphere.

There are 112 species of hummingbirds in all of North America, with 26 species observed north of Mexico, 17 of these have bred in the United States and Canada, 12 of have been observed in California. Kern County is home to 4 breeding species and is visited each year by 2 migrants and on occasion by 2 vagrants.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are so lightweight that you could mail 8 of them for the price of a 41-cent postage stamp!

This tiny flyer weighs about as much as a U.S. penny (approximately .1 ounce) yet manages to complete a non-stop flight over the Gulf of Mexico during migration – a distance of some 500+ miles!

The smallest hummingbird in the United States is the Calliope Hummingbird which breeds in our local mountains. It measures a mere 3-3.2 inches (7.5-8 cm) from bill to tail.

The Portuguese name for "hummingbird" literally translated means "flower-kisser."

Hummingbirds beat their wings at a rate of 40-80 per second and fly 30 miles per hour.

Hummingbirds are the only species of birds that can truly fly backwards and upside down.

The heart rate for a hummingbird is between 500 and 1260 beats per minute during the day and drops to below 50 during the night.

One of the most striking features of male hummingbirds is their iridescent plumage, particularly the brightly colored head and gorget (neck area) feathers of adults.

Females build nests and rear young without any help from the males.

The structure of iridescent feathers amplifies certain wavelengths of light and reflects them directly in front of the bird, so that a bright flash of color will only be seen when the bird is observed directly facing the observer.

During peak migration in late July and early August the Kern River Valley is visited by thousands of migrating hummingbirds each day.

Volunteers with the Kern River Preserve fill hummingbird feeders each morning to the delight of visitors.

While hummingbirds enjoy nectar from feeders and flowers, a large part of their diet is also made up of insects.

The best place to see many species of hummingbirds is in Southeastern Arizona.

Most hummingbirds fly south for the winter, many hummingbird species may been seen during the winter season. Leave at least one feeder out in the winter, and you may play host to an Anna's Hummingbird or another species.