this post was submitted on 22 May 2024
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TIL that the ruby-throated hummingbird flies non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico as part of its spring migration and has a VO2 max that is about 10 times higher than elite human athletes. (en.wikipedia.org)
submitted 5 months ago by GlassHalfHopeful@lemmy.ca to c/birding@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/21718242

From the article:

This feat is impressive, as an 800 km (500 mi), non-stop flight over water would seemingly require a caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 g (0.11 oz). However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can double their fat mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing, then expend the entire calorie reserve from fat during the 20-hour non-stop crossing when food and water are unavailable.

This is nuts!

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[–] rigatti@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

Birds are fucking crazy.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

IIRC, they come back to the same exact location as the year before. Can't tell if I'm seeing the same ones.

[–] GlassHalfHopeful@lemmy.ca 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I've heard similarly. I guess you're just going to have to introduce yourself and get all their names. But don't tell them they all look the same. Birds find that offensive. 🙃