243K views · 22K reactions | Two billion birds fly across the Gulf of Mexico each spring for their migration north. Many birds, even Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, fly ~500 miles straight across in less than 24 hours! It's vital to conserve areas for birds on both ends of the journey. https://abcbirds.org/bird/ruby-throated-hummingbird/ Video: Justin Hoffman. See his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinHoffmanOutdoor | American Bird Conservancy | Facebook

10K reactions · 4.5K shares | Here are a few seconds of bliss for #WorldWildlifeDay, courtesy of our muse: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird! Did you know that nearly 200 hummingbird species find refuge at ABC-supported reserves across the Americas? Find out more: https://abcbirds.org/stunning_hummingbirds/ Footage by Justin Hoffman. See more of his videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu78TvcBmuRGJNsXEDrQRDQ | American Bird Conservancy | Facebook

Ruby-throated hummingbirds move exceptionally quickly, they are capable of rapidly beating their wings more than 50 times a second. It's possible to hear the beat of the wings, which make a humming sound, hence the bird's name. These hummingbirds are very small, growing only 3.5 inches (nine centimeters) tall and weighing less than a quarter of an ounce (seven grams). However, they eat approximately every 15 minutes to maintain their energy. They must enter deep torpor every night and greatly re