FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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The lucifer hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) also, known as lucifer sheartail, is a medium-sized hummingbird species of the Trochilidae family. These birds are found in green, purple, and brown colors. They have distinctly curved bill and outward flared gorget feathers. Lucifer in Latin translates to 'light-bearing,' which probably refers to the iridescent gorget of the male. They are also called 'sheartail' due to their deeply forked tail. There are over 360 hummingbird species in this family. Hummingbirds are native species of America. These birds are named so due to the humming sound created by their flapping wings at a frequency that is audible to a human ear. This frequency is about 12 bps (beats per second) in big-sized hummingbirds to 80 bps in small ones. Compared to all the homeothermic species, these birds have the highest mass-specific metabolic rate. Nicholas Aylward Vigors, an Irish zoologist, introduced the family Trochilidae with the genus Trochilus in 1825. A bird fossil found in 2013 in Wyoming showed that it was an ancestor of both swift birds and hummingbirds before they were separated into two different groups.
If you like reading this article, check out these Anna's hummingbird facts and calliope hummingbird facts.
Lucifer hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) is a medium-sized hummingbird species of the genus Calothorax and order Apodiformes. There is no social behavior between the adults and young ones. These birds can migrate from one place to another. These birds are aggressive nectar-feeders. This bird species is endothermic.
Lucifer hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) belongs to the class Aves of animals.
The population of lucifer hummingbirds (Calothorax lucifer) is approximately 200,000.
The lucifer hummingbirds' range of locations is from central Mexico and northern Mexico. They also occupy a wide range in the south-western United States including West Texas, southeast Arizona, and southwest New Mexico. The Big Bend area in Texas is a reliable location to find these birds.
The habitat range of these North American birds varies according to their geographic locations. Their wide range of habitats include arid desert or dune, chaparral, and scrub forest regions. They are found around deserts and arid regions with the agave plant. They also occupy foothills, plains, and sides of rocky hillsides throughout its range. They prefer a habitat altitude range between 3,500-5,500 ft (1,066-1,676 m) in dry washes that have desert shrubs and cacti, canyons and mountains.
These North American birds are a solitary species. There is no social behavior between adults and young ones and they also do not form a group. The pairs do not form a bond during the breeding season.
The lifespan of a lucifer hummingbird recaptured in Texas was at least seven years.
The breeding season is between April and August. These birds do not have a bond and are mostly polygamous. The male lucifer hummingbird displays a mating dance near the nest during courtship. These displays take place during nesting and egglaying. The display involves the male flying over the female and then dive in with its forked tail or wing producing a snapping sound. Then it flies away with the forked tail feathers. The male displays every hour for about 30-45 seconds. The female lucifer hummingbird builds her small cup-like nest on cacti or desert shrubs that are above 2-10 ft (0.61-3.05 m) from the ground. The female then lay white eggs, two per season. The incubation period lasts for 15 days. The young leave the nest on the 23rd day. During the breeding season, females are observed to defend their nest from other hummingbirds and predators.
The conservation status of these hummingbirds is of Least Concern. They are quite common and stable in their native areas. So, their conservation status is also good. Feeders are one of the reasons for their stable population. Their population is well maintained in the Big Bend National park by their feeders.
Lucifer hummingbirds are medium-sized and have a curved bill. They have small wings and deeply forked tail. They have a white streak behind their eyes. The colouration of the male lucifer hummingbird is different compared to a female. Males have a green crown, iridescent plumage, dark forked tail, white underpants, and long magenta gorget. On the other hand, lucifer hummingbird female bird species are larger and have a pale throat, dull plumage, and buff or white underside with crimson trim. Females have no iridescence and are light brown-coloured.
Hummingbirds are small and cute. So, they are considered cute animals.
This bird species communicates using the sense of touch, vocalization, visualization, and use of chemicals.
The female bird species are larger than the male. They grow up to 3.9 in (10 cm)
The exact flight speed of a lucifer hummingbird is unknown. The hummingbird's flight speed is about 50 mph (81 kph). Their flight speed can be as low as 25 mph (40 kph).
The average weight of this bird is 0.006-0.0067 lb (2.75-3.08 g). Since females are larger than males they are 0.0067 lb (3.08 g) and males are 0.006 lb (2.75 g).
There is no specific name given to the male and female birds of this species.
This baby bird species is usually referred to as chicks.
These birds are aggressive feeders. Their diet includes nectar, insects, and spiders. They hover above the nectars with their bill inside the flower and then they take out the nectar. The males defend their nectar plants. They hunt for insects during the day. The females bring insects for the nest or for roosting. When these birds approach hummingbird feeders, they are often chased away by other hummingbirds.
No, they are not poisonous.
No, they would not make a good pet as they need desert and arid regions.
Hummingbirds cannot smell.
Hummingbirds, including the lucifer hummingbird range, are the only bird species group, which have the ability to fly up, down, backwards, forwards, and sideways.
They are attracted to red-colored flowers.
Hummingbirds can be eaten by praying mantis. This happens mostly due to other nectar feeders. Few other predators of hummingbirds are birds of prey, cats, spider, sometimes frogs and snakes.
The spatuletail hummingbird (Loddigesia mirabilis) is the rarest species of hummingbirds.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these birds of paradise facts and common kingfisher facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Lucifer hummingbird coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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