H is for Hummingbirds

What do you know about hummingbirds? Today, we will share five simple facts about these sweet little birds.

Why are they called hummingbirds?
Simply they got their name due to the sound created when they beat their wings - it sounds like humming. Nothing scientific or too difficult about this one. Perhaps the person who first called them hummingbirds was also responsible for naming the red back spider or the brown snake?

On a more serious note, hummingbirds can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second, which creates the humming sound, which is also known as a wing whistle.

Hummingbird on Zinnias Poster by Bebops

How small are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are one of the smallest birds in the world and can range in size from 5cm to 13 cm. In fact, the smallest bird in the world belongs to the hummingbird family and is known as the bee hummingbird which can be found in the forests of Cuba.

Hummingbird Mousepad by ingasi

Can they fly backwards? 
Yes they can! Hummingbirds are the only birds which can fly backwards and they can also hover mid-air. As mentioned previously they can beat their tiny wings a large number of times a second which means they have the ability to hover quite easily. They will often hover while they gather nectar from flowers as their main source of food.

Hummingbird and Flowers Postcard by funnaturephotography

Do hummingbirds hibernate? 
Hummingbirds have a very high metabolic rate, which allows them to beat their wings so quickly. However, at night they are able to lower their metabolic rate as they are at rest and they are also able to do this when food is not available. It is a hibernation-like state and it is known as torpor.

Blue Hummingbird Photo Posters by funnaturephotography

What do hummingbirds eat?
Well, I did actually answer that above so I actually gave you the answer before asking the question, but just in case you have forgotten already, they eat nectar and are known as nectarivores. They primarily take the nectar from flowers which are red, orange and bright pink - but they will take the nectar from flowers in other colors too. One way to attract hummingbirds to your garden if you live in an area where they are is to plant red colored flowers. Due to the need for energy to flap their little wings, they tend to consume at least half their weight in sugar each day - wow!

Tropical Hummingbird and Flower Posters by funnaturephotography
See other Hummingbird Posters at zazzle

E is for Emu

Emus are the largest birds in Australia and are the second largest birds (in relation to height) in the world, second to the ostrich.

Emus are unable to fly but are able to run very quickly, are nomadic and are known to cover long distances in search of food.

They are very curious birds and will watch other animals and humans (I've even had one steal my lunch when on a picnic!).

The emu is on the Australian coat of arms and is a cultural icon and plays an important role in Aboriginal mythology.

Emu
by wildlifeart
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E is for Elephant

If you are playing alphabet animals, it is likely that the first animal to be said when it comes to the letter "e" is Elephant. Elephants are mysterious animals which capture our interest and you can't help but be intrigued by one of the biggest animals on the world.

Cute elephant ABC's
by happytwitt

Elephants are also very popular in photography and artwork, here are a few examples showing our love of elephants.

The Beautiful Elk

The elk, which is lso known as wapiti, is the largest species of deer. Elk are native to North America and eastern Asia but have been successfully introduced to a number of other areas.

Male elk have antlers, which begin growing in spring and they shed in winter. During the mating season, bulls will often engage in antler wrestling to defend his right to mate with his herd, or harem, of cows.

American Elk in Winter Print
by FalconsEye
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Elk Crossing Print
by mlewallpapers
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North American Eagles

There are over 60 species of Eagles throughout the world, however there are only two species of Eagles which can be found in the United States and Canada ~ the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle.

The Bald Eagle can be found throughout Canada, Alaska, the United State and Mexico. It is the national symbol and national bird of the US. The Bald Eagles prefers locations which are near large bodies of water which have a good supply of fish, surrounded by old-growth tress in which the eagles can perch and nest.

Amazing Bald Eagle
by seashell2

American Bald Eagle
by flyingdisc

The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere and can be found throughout Eurasia, North America, and parts of Africa. They are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks.

Golden Eagles are well-known for using speed and their powerful talons to catch their prey such as rabbits, squirrels and large mammals including foxes, wild and domestic cats young deer, among other animals. If food is scare, they will eat carrion. They are also known to eat other birds and reptiles.

Golden Eagles are also well-known for building their nests in high places such as cliffs, trees, or human structures such as telephone poles.

Golden Eagle Wildlife Series # 14 Postcard
by FalconsEye

Golden eagle
by deemac1

Egrets

Egrets are a kind of heron, which are usually white. During the bredding season many egrets develop fine white feathers down their backs. The Animal Zoo has chosen two egrets, the Snowy Egret and the Great Egret.

The Snowy Egret is a small white heron, which is approximately 60 centimetres long. During the breeding season, the yellow upper bills turn red and they get shaggy looking feathers along their backs.

Snowy Egret Postcard
by debinSC

The Great Egret can be distinguished from other egrets by its size, growing up to one metre in height, as well as its yellow beak and black legs. During the breeding season, the Great Egret has delicate feathers down its back.

Egret by rhbrown
View more Great Egret Posters

Evening Grosbeak

The Evening Grosbeak is a large finch found in North America, which may explain why I have never heard of it before! It is most frequently seen during the winter and is known to happily visit bird feeders in gardens.

Evening Grsbeaks love to eat seeds, fruit, buds and insects. They will forage in flocks in trees and shrubs as well as on the ground.

Evening Grosbeak
by Bebops

Cartoon Dogs

Dogs are a favourite for those who paint and draw illustrations and cartoons and by checking ut some of these cute images below, it is easy to see why!

A Donkey is a Donkey... A Mule is a Mule

Donkeys are members of the horse family and have been domesticated by humans for thousands of years and artwork in Egypt depicts images of donkeys carrying loads for their Egyptian masters. It is estimated that there are over 40 million donkeys across the world... that's an awful lot of donkeys!

Donkey friends postcard
by ruralfrance

Donkey foal postcard
by ruralfrance

Donkeys and mules are not the same animal... although sometimes confused. A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (also known as a jack) and a female horse (mare).

BX- Cartoon Stubborn Mule Stickers
by inspirationrocks

Dinosaurs in their thousands

Did you know that there are over a thousand dinosaur species which have been named? And... did you know that there is estimated to be approximately 2000 dinosaur species? This means that we have only found and named about half of the species of dinosaurs ever to have walked on this earth.

Is the Loch Ness Monster a descendant of the dinosaurs? Well... until we can find it and see exactly what is is (if it really exists), we can only guess. But from all accounts, the size of Nessie may indicate that it may just have descended from dinosaurs.

D is for Daschund

A daschund is a breed of dog which belongs to the hound family. They have short legs and long bodies which have led to the numerous nicknames such as sausage dog, weiner dog and hot dog.

The term daschund has it roots in German and literally means badger dog. Daschunds were originally bred to hunt badgers and other animals which burrow.

D is for Deer

Did you know that prior to the 15th century the term deer (or der) was used to describe all wild animals? That's right. In Middle English, der was used for wild animals and cattle was used to describe domesticated livestock. It was not until after this time that the terms began to be used specifically to refer to what we now call deer.

Yosemite Deer Print by mlewallpapers

There are indigenous populations of deer on all continents, except for Antartica and Australia. Australia and New Zealand now have species of deer which were introduced by settlers in the 19th century.

Mule Deer Poster by Keller_Photography

The continent which has the most species of deer in the world is the Eurasian continent, with the largest number found in Asia.

Deer in Frosty Hills by Bebops

Cute Crocodiles

Crocodiles are cute, aren't they?

Well, these little critters featured here are... not so sure about the ones you find out in the wild. These almost look like a cute pet!

Stripey Mr Crocodile Greeting Card
by scruffshop

BF- Crocodile Dishwasher Magnet
by inspirationrocks

Chinchilla

Chinchillas are a type of rodent which is native to the Andes in South America. The Chincha people used to wear the fur of the Chinchillas and they became very rare in the 19th century due to being hunted for their fur. These days chinchillas are raised in farms to provide fur for clothing and other accessories.

Chinchilla Stickers
by WhimsySeed

Chickens, Chooks and Chicks

Chickens are the most domesticated animals in the world and there are more chickens in the world than any other bird. In 2003, it was estimated that there was an increible 24 billion chickens!

Chickens are kept as domesticated animals because we love to to eat chicken and eggs... well, not sure about you, but I love chicken... and eggs!