Introduction

Hummingbirds are the tiniest of birds with super powers – flying backwards, upside-down and floating in mid-air

Hummingbirds have a long history of folklore and symbolism in native cultures. … In Native American culture, hummingbirds are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck and joy. They are a joy to behold.

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And now, a lovely children’s book…..


“Hummingbird” by Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Jane Ray

An accomplished science writer for children, Davies contributes a text that weaves strands of story and fact into a satisfying whole. Ray’s radiant watercolor-and-pencil artwork creates landscapes that are full of life, yet orderly and graceful…Lightly combining narrative with relevant information, this beautiful picture book is brimful of quiet charm.
—Booklist

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HUMMINGBIRDS

Hummingbirds are amazing creatures to behold. They are the tiniest of birds, yet possess natural born super powers that enable them to fly backwards, upside-down, and float in mid-air. Their wings beat faster than the eye can see and the speed at which they travel makes people wonder if it was indeed a hummingbird they actually saw. They also are only found in the Americas.  Small and bright, they have abilities no other creatures possess.  Their abilities border on the magical
 
Can you believe that during migration the eastern Ruby-throated hummingbird can fly across the Gulf of Mexico none stop! This takes about 18 hours over about 500 miles of water.
Wow! The Rufous hummingbird has the longest migration. It has to fly more than 6,000 miles round trip from its summer home is Alaska to its winter home in Central America
One more thing is that they do not migrate in flocks. These tiny creatures go it alone!

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Hummingbird Poetry

Write a cinquain (a 5-line poem, often inspired by nature) about hummingbirds.

  • Line 1: One word title, a noun that identifies your topic

  • Line 2: Two adjectives that describe your topic

  • Line 3, 4, 5:   Three “ing” verbs that describe action

  • Line 4: A phrase that describes something about your topic

  • Line 5: A noun that is a synonym or another way to name your topic

Example

Hummingbird
Tiny and irridescent
Shimmering in the light
Floating in mid-air
Darting here and there
A joy to behold
Colibri

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PBS Nature:  Super Hummingbirds