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WE HAVE IT COVERED IF IT'S PLAYED
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ID
July 27, 2022
MONROE OUTDOORS by Terry W. Johnson
Hummingbirds recognize humans who fill the feeders
A ruby-throated hummingbird measures roughly 3.7 inches
long and weighs 0.071 -0.211 ounces, about the weight of
a penny. (Photo/Terry Johnson)
D uring the sum
mer when
ever I have a
few minutes to
just sit down and unwind,
instead of watching
television I often
sit in a chair on my
deck enjoying the
comings and goings
of scores of hum
mingbirds.
Invariably, as I
watch them display
ing their aerial
acumen, my long-
held opinion that
they are the most
remarkable birds that visit
my yard is reinforced. It is
impossible to list here all of
the reasons why I feel these
tiny birds are so special.
However, here is a small
sample of them.
To begin with, humming
birds are both the worlds
smallest birds and the tiniest
warm-blooded animals.
The smallest hummingbird
is the bee hummingbird. It
is only 2.25 inches long and
tips the scale at only 0.07
ounces (less than a dime).
In comparison, the ruby-
throated hummingbird is
considerably larger, mea
suring roughly 3.7 inches
long, and heftier, weighing
0.071-0.211 ounces (about
the weight of a penny).
Hummingbirds are
cloaked with the fewest
feathers of any bird. De
pending on the species, a
hummingbird has anywhere
from 940 -1,500 feathers.
While this may not sound
like many, it ac
tually amounts
to more feathers
per square inch
than any other
bird.
Fasci-
natinginy, a
hummingbird
does not have a
single down
feather. This
would pose a
real problem
for most other birds trying
to stay warm on cold winter
nights. Being covered with
down and the ability to fluff
their feathers out when it is
cold keeps them relatively
warm.
Such is not the case with
hummingbirds. Those hum
mers that winter in Monroe
County and elsewhere
where nighttime tem
peratures can drop below
freezing go into a state called
torpor. When a humming
bird enters torpor, it lowers
its metabolic rate, heart
rate, and body temperature.
This enables the small bird
to save 60 percent of its
available energy. Without
this ability, in extreme cases
on frigid winter night, a
hummingbird could liter
ally starve to death before
mommg.
Although the humming
bird has one of the small
est brains of any animal,
it is large compared to the
weight of other critters. The
hummingbirds brain makes
up 4.2 percent of its body
weight. Using this compari
son, it is larger than all other
birds. We lag far behind
that percentage. Our brains
account of only 2 percent of
our body weight. Although
the hummingbirds brain is
less than the size of a pea, it
is capable of amazing fetes.
For example, a rubythroat
visits up to 1,500 flowers a
day, and can remember the
location of each flower it vis
its. It also knows how long it
takes a flower to generate a
new supply of nectar. If that
is not enough, researchers
report that hummingbirds
can even recall every flower
they visit during their mi
gration.
Hummingbirds can also
recognize humans. By this
time of the year, the hum
mingbirds feeding in your
backyard every day have
become familiar with you
and the members of your
family. It has been shown
that remarkably they recog
nize who refills the hum
mingbird feeders.
Hummingbirds have
much better hearing than
we do. This enables them to
differentiate between even
the slightest variations in
sounds.
The birds also possess bet
ter eyesight than humans do.
This is because our eyes are
equipped with fewer rods
and cones than are found
in the hummingbirds eye.
Unlike us, they are capable
of seeing ultraviolet light.
Furthermore, they are also
equipped with 8X binocular
vision. Consequently, they
can spot a hummingbird
feeder hanging on a Shep
herds hook swinging in the
summer breeze 3/4ths of a
mile away.
I do not want you to think
that the hummingbird
excels at everything. Indeed,
hummingbirds are not adept
at many things. Take their
sense of smell, for example.
Until recently, biologists
thought they had no sense of
small at all. This was largely
based on research that sug
gested that hummingbirds
could not detect the scent
produced by the flowers of
nectar plants. However, en
terprising biologists recently
proved that they can detect
the scent of formic acid.
This chemical is produced
by ants and other insects
that might pose a threat to
the birds.
In addition, humming
birds have weak legs and
feet. As a result, they cannot
walk or even use their legs
to launch into the air. About
all these legs are good for is
perching.
I hope these tantalizing
bits of information will
enhance your appreciation
for the tiny birds that bring
us so much beauty and
pleasure each spring and
summer. In the meantime,
sit back and enjoy some
time watching them put on
a memorable aerial show.
Terry Johnson is retired
Program Manager of the
Georgia Nongame-Endan
gered Wildlife Program. He
has written the informative
column Monroe Outdoors
for the Reporter for many
years. His book, “A Journey
to Discovery’’ is available at
The Reporter. Email him at
tjwoodduck@bellsouth. net.
MP, MCMS compete in 6v6
TERRY W. JOHNSON
Mary Persons fielded a soccer team in the summer 6v6 league at the Macon Soccer Club.
Players are Baylor Emami (10th), luke Cantrell (10th), Gavin Cabe (9th), Clayton laimana
(10th), Ben Schmidt (10th), Hunt Walker (10th), Angel Martinez (10th) and Alex Strebeck
(10th). Not pictured: Gavin Harris (10th), Cameron Davis (10th), Conner Van Tone (9th)
and Quinn Robbins (10th)
Monroe County Middle School fielded a soccer team in the summer 6v6 league at the
Macon Soccer Club. Players were Brian Martinez (5th), Camden Walker (8th), Conner Van
Tone (9th), Gavin Cabe (9th), lawson Newberry (9th), luke Van Voorhis (9th), fucas Aleixo
(7th), Miguel Martinez (7th), Thomas Ross (9th) and Will Harrison (9th). Not pictured
Charlie Newberry (6th).
MP football tickets go on sale Wed
The Mary Persons regular season re
served seats/season tickets for home games
will go on sale starting July 27. There are
five regular home games this season and
the cost will be $50 per ticket. See Mrs.
Barbara Dennis in the Mary Persons front
office (main campus) Monday - Friday,
between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to buy tickets.
The Mary Persons vs Northeast (Macon)
game will be played at Mercer Aug. 20.
Tickets for that game will be sold at United
Bank and at the high school. Tickets will
also be available at the gate. All tickets for
this game will be paper tickets and not sold
online. Buy tickets in advance at a dis
counted price of $10 and to avoid the lines
at the gate.
Also, advance general admission tickets
for Mary Persons home games will be sold
on the day of the game at United Bank.
The ticket price will be $10. All other
tickets will need to be purchased through
GoFan.co. Tickets will not be sold at the
gate.
A VERY SPECIAL
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Monroe County 12U All-Stars 2022
Sponsors
El Dorado Mexican Restaurant
Bar & Grill
MMAD - Wes Cone
Vulcan Materials Company
O Reilly Auto Parts
Midessa Fireplace
Macon Dentist
Community Church
Steve Reeves Homes
The Monroe County Reporter
Farmers Insurance / Holly Graham
City of Culloden
The Madison Studio Dance Education
Magnolia's Medical Spa of Georgia
Wayne Septic Co.
Monroe County Board of
Commissioners
Volume Chevrolet
Jonah s on Johnston
Dr. Clell M. Morris, DMD
Internal Medicine Associates of
Middle GA
Maurice Mowersports
Real Estate Brokers - Sid Venable
River Forest Realty - Anita Elliott
The Whistle Stop Cafe
Dickey Farms
1 st Franklin Financial
Bulldog Nutrition
Pacific Dental Services
Monroe County Recreation
Department