Hummingbirds – God’s Tiny Wonder | David Rives

David Rives Ministries

Published on Sep 22, 2014

SUBSCRIBED 4.9K

Hummingbirds. Even though they are the smallest birds on earth, and the smallest of all warm-blooded creatures, they can still fly over 30 MPH, fly backward, and at birth, weigh less than a post-it note!

These amazing creatures flap their wings up to 80 times a SECOND, allowing them to hover over flowers filled with nectar.

They are able to determine sugar content, and only consume nectar that is at least 10% sugar. Less than that could not sustain their super-fast metabolism, with their heartbeat of around 1200 times a minute!

With this in mind, hummingbirds typically would not be able to survive a long cold night. HOWEVER, they “happen” to have a built-in mechanism called “Torpor” that goes into effect as they sleep, shutting down their metabolism to 1/15th the normal rate. It effectively slows down their heart rate from around 1,200 beats per minute… to 35 beats per minute.
Did this tiny creature evolve by chance? Or was he intricately designed and formed with purpose? Such beauty is often overlooked in today’s society, but if we only stop to consider the intricate details of a hummingbird, we can appreciate God’s infinite “wonders without number”.

I’m David Rives...
Truly, the Heavens Declare the Glory of God.

3 Astounding Things About Hummingbirds You Didn’t Know | David Rives

David Rives Ministries

Published on Nov 22, 2014

SUBSCRIBED 4.9K

3 Astounding Things About Hummingbirds You Didn’t Know

The tiny hummingbird has a two-step lung system that allows it to utilize all of the oxygen it breathes. This efficient design might not be necessary for life, but for a bird who is flapping its wings at up to 80 times a second, it certainly is a helpful feature!

The hummingbird can fly through trees or between branches at incredible speeds, but its eyes are on the sides of its head. How can it maintain the aeronautical ability that allows it to fly with such precision, while not flying into a tree limb either in front, or beside it?

Our eyes have one fovea, which allows us to focus in on one area while our peripheral vision is blurry. Not so for hummingbirds. They have two foveae which allows them to see in-focus straight ahead and side to side simultaneously!
And the 3rd astounding fact about hummingbirds that you probably didn’t know, is that their feathers grow-in as matched pairs, making sure they have an equal number on each side of their body.
10 primary feathers on each wing, and 10 tail feathers. It’s pretty important for a hovering hummingbird to have equal lift, and indeed, this need is provided for.
Chance? Or design by a loving Creator?

I'm David Rives
Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God