What makes a hummingbird hum?
In this illustrated course, students learn about many different birds, both land and water birds, from mockingbirds to the tiny Arctic tern that flies 22 thousand miles every year. They get to choose from 12 practical projects that familiarize them with birds and their place in nature. Age range: 8-9 years Grades: 3-4Study booklet length: 42 pages Estimated course length: 15 hours Prerequisite: Basic Biology Series: Animal Kingdom course Materials you need to provide: Texts/references: A guide book on birds (Golden Guides series published by Golden Books or Peterson’s First Guides published by Houghton Mifflin are suggested). An encyclopedia or other references with good colored pictures of the eggs of various birds, bird’s nests and domestic turkeys (if your guide book doesn’t include them), several bird magazines or wildlife magazines with pictures of birds. Required materials: Chicken eggs, quill feathers, soft (down) feathers, binoculars, coloring crayons, drawing paper, a bird’s n
How fast does a hummingbird’s heart beat? How small are hummingbird eggs? In this interactive exhibition, visitors will discover the answers to such questions, experience the diverse colours, shapes and sizes of these amazing birds, and learn about the hummingbird’s physiology, lifestyle and character traits. The exhibition includes the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird, weighing a mere two grams.  Visitors will also learn about how these birds adapt to different environments, climates and altitudes, and find out more about their mating and nesting processes. Discover why so many lives have been charmed by these fascinating little wonders at Hummingbirds of the Americas! Museum hours and program schedules are available online at www.royalalbertamuseum.ca or by calling 780-453-9100 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta).
The little hummingbirds have already arrived back to build their midget nests and bring up their midget babies. The ruby throated hummingbirds have spread all. Through the eastern and mid western states. More than 15 different hummingbirds have started their housekeeping along the pacific coast and in the south western deserts. A hummingbird is just a few inches long., and you might think such a .small fellow would be timid. But not at all. The hummer is a bold little bird., and nothing seems to scare him. Perhaps this is because he feels safe. He is as quick as a dragonfly and just as hard to catch. Come summer, you see him darting around the garden from flower to flower. For a moment., he stands still in the air, hovering like a helicopter. His bright little eyes are choosing a blossom, then he zooms toward his target and stops still in the air while his long beak dips down into the throat of the flower. He may be sipping nectar or using his long tongue to catch a bug. Lunch takes bu
