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Celebrating National Hummingbird Day in 2025

By K. Wilson

Every year on the first Saturday of September, we celebrate the hummingbird, and this year, National Hummingbird Day lands on September 6th. It makes sense why a day would be dedicated to them—after all, they are among the more unique types of bird. What many people do not know is that hummingbirds come in numerous varieties, more than 300 in fact!

Biology

Hummingbirds measure two to five inches, making them the smallest type of bird discovered. They use a long, thin beak to drink nectar from flowers. These birds are noted for a wing flap speed ranging from 10 beats to as high as 80 beats per second, with their flaps increasing in speed depending on the situation. For instance, they flap faster during courtship dives in order to impress a potential mate.

These lovely creatures typically fly 20–30 miles per hour (approximately 32-48 kilometers), though during courtship rituals, they can move up to three times that speed. Hummingbirds are also noted for their vibrant colors, which are accented in the right light, and are always a beautiful sight whenever they pay us a visit.

A ruby-throated hummingbird perched on a small branch.

Discovery and History

The hummingbird was first discovered in 1557 by explorer Jean de Léry. However, the scientific consensus is that their history dates back to 42 million years ago, when they split from the swifts and treeswifts.

Hummingbird Moth

In addition to the hummingbird, there is the hummingbird moth: an insect named for its similar movements and feeding habits. Like the bird, hummingbird moths are quite beautiful and always an amazing sight.

Celebrate National Hummingbird Day This September 6th

With several threats to the hummingbird's natural habitats, it's more important than ever to celebrate these tiny yet spirited birds. We still have a lot to learn about hummingbirds, and the more people take notice and desire to know more, the longer we will be able to enjoy their presence.

A hummingbird moth and small yellow flowers.
Hummingbird moth

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