Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. They provide a very valuable service to the flowers by pollination. Their bodies require more energy per gram of body weight than any other animal in the world, except possibly the shrew which is the smallest animal. Hummingbirds have been timed to fly at 40-60 miles per hour, but they normally fly around 25-35 miles per hour. They require vast quantities of nectar and some protein to sustain them especially on their long flights South for the winter. They can fly up and down, sideways, backwards, and forwards almost as fast. Hummingbirds have been called "flying jewels" because when they fly their feathers have beautiful, shifting rainbowlike colors. This quality is called iridescence. God must have had fun creating such beautiful little creatures for us to enjoy!
- Uncle Burney ("The Builder" September, 1999)
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