Birding/hummingbirds

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Expert: Julia Booth - 9/7/2009


Question
When hummingbirds fly in the rain, why do they NOT get knocked out by the big drops? It has to be the equivalent of a person
getting hit with a bowling ball.
Thanks

Answer
Hummingbirds do fly in the rain and because they are moving at such a vast speed, they appear to be unaffected by it. They seem to like it actually. My hummingbird feeders are most active during the rain.

They can migrate large distances, although I believe if there were a storm severe enough, they would find shelter and wait it out. Really it depends on the species, location and time of year. Wind would prove more of an obstacle to a bird than rain.

Hope this answers your question.

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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