
The annual hummingbird migration is almost over this year. Our ruby-throated hummingbirds hang out around here for roughly eight months out of twelve, but in late late September/early October, their presence can best be described as a charm, a glittering, a hover, a shimmer, or a tune. Those are the actual words for groups of hummingbirds—I did not make that up. I am mesmerized by hummingbirds, and here are a few fascinating facts that my fellow “hummerfans” may already know—yes, I made up that word.
- Hummingbirds can’t walk or hop.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- Hummingbirds migrate farther than any North American species (4000 miles).
- Hummingbirds migrate alone, not in flocks.
- A hummingbird takes 150 breaths a minute.
- A hummingbird beats its wings more than 50 times per second.
- A hummingbird’s brain makes up 4.2% of its weight. In comparison, our human brains are 2% of our body weight.
OK, I like hummingbirds. They are tiny, but mighty. They seemingly have no fear, and they buzz my head like tiny kamikazes when I change the nectar in their feeder. But why am I telling you about hummingbirds on a Sunday morning?
Well, it’s because the past months/years have been difficult:
- COVID has reared its head again.
- Our world is on the precipice of World War III.
- The upcoming Presidential election is terrifying, regardless of which candidate you support.
- Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the East two weeks ago, and by the time this article publishes, Hurricane Milton will have hit Florida.
Many times, I think that it’s hopeless to believe that things will be normal again. And then I look at that hummingbird. Last month, he, along with a shimmering of his friends, was at the feeder in my front yard, consuming 1.5 to 3 times his body weight every single day, preparing to fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico—500 miles in 18 to 24 hours—to his wintering grounds.
That tiny bird has hope/faith/instinct that he’s going to get there, and he has the same hope/faith/instinct that he will make it back to my feeder in the spring.
And I remind myself that the hummingbird was put on this earth by the same God who put me and you and even those liberals that we don’t like on the same planet. God designed the hummingbird with his tiny megabrain just like he designed me and you (and yes, even the Presidential candidates), and there’s a plan for all of us. If you need any more inspiration than that, then consider these Bible verses:
I know every [humming]bird in the mountains…. (Psalm 50:11)
Consider the ravens [and hummingbirds]: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than [humming]birds! (Luke 12:24)
Are not two sparrows [hummingbirds] sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (Matthew 10:29)
May you find cause for hope on this Sunday morning.
If you enjoyed this article, then please REPOST or SHARE with others; encourage them to follow AFNN. If you’d like to become a citizen contributor for AFNN, contact us at managingeditor@afnn.us Help keep us ad-free by donating here.
Substack: American Free News Network Substack
Truth Social: @AFNN_USA
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/afnnusa
Telegram: https://t.me/joinchat/2_-GAzcXmIRjODNh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfnnUsa
GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/AFNN_USA
CloutHub: @AFNN_USA