TIL that the ruby-throated hummingbird flies non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico as part of its spring migration and has a VO2 max that is about 10 times higher than elite human athletes. (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[-] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

This feat is impressive, as an 800 km (500 mi), non-stop flight over water would seemingly require a caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 g (0.11 oz).[21] However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can double their fat mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing,[25] then expend the entire calorie reserve from fat during the 20-hour non-stop crossing when food and water are unavailable.

😮

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Hummingbirds are something else.

this post was submitted on 22 May 2024

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