Humming Messengers
Each is just a speck-a firefly, a flash, a brilliant atom. Yet each is an infinite mystery. (The Hummingbirds’ Gift by Sy Montgomery)
Each year I try to remember to put out the hummingbird feeder the first week of April. I forgot this year. On April 13th I was walking outside the house to access what spring cleanup would be like when a familiar humming sound two inches from my left ear came to accompany me. Apparently this Ruby-throated hummingbird (the most common in the Northeast) was disgusted with my memory failure and was determined to stay by my ear until I took some action. Actually, those who have studied these little creatures confirm that this is a thing. If the bird recognizes you, this maneuver is included in their countless repertoire of tricks. I put out the feeder that minute and two hours later two birds made their way to the red sugar water meal.
I don’t try too hard to figure out or interpret the message (if there is one) in all this. But, it makes one wonder about our connection to nature and so much else. In Ancient Mexico, hummingbirds were called oubiri – “rays of the sun”; the Aztecs, seeing these birds always chasing one another with their sword-like beaks, believe they were resurrected warriors; in the Dominican Republic they are called suma flor (buzzing flower). Just about every culture where there are hummingbirds sees some magic in these birds.
Some astonishing facts about these little critters…
Most are 3-4 inches in length and weigh from 0.1 – 0.2 ounces – less than a marshmallow
Those that migrate travel from Mexico & Central America to the northern U.S. and Canada – the longest migration of any bird in terms of body length
Their resting heart beat if about 500 and in flight, 1,300. They flap their wings 59 times a second
Eggs (usually two) are the size of navy beans and, if the mother has chosen a good site, those eggs will become flying birds in just two weeks
Hummingbirds do not sip nectar, they lap it with their long forked tongue with absorbent fingers
They feed on flowers & water nectar as well as on small bugs
Hawks, crows, squirrels, raccoons and even praying mantises can have them for a meal…just an appetizer for a hawk.
So, what does this short expose on hummingbirds have to do with global mission? My guess is that all of us with a sense of mystery and awe automatically know why at a deep instinctive level. Hummingbirds tell me that there are so many layers of this world we know little about. Yet, their beauty, magic and playfulness confirm that we are all part of a deep loving Presence.