Archilochus coubris (L. Reichenbach 1854) is the extant ruby-throated hummingbird. Among the smallest of birds, hummingbirds are only found in the Americas. Their wings hum because they flap so rapidly, approximately 50x/second. They have the highest metabolism during the day, but at night they experience torpor to conserve energy. They survive on nectar from flowers, with which they co-evolved. Hummingbirds are related to swifts and are known form 30-million-year-old fossils.

Patagona gigas (Viellot 1824) the giant hummingbird is the largest extant hummingbird.

Reichenbach 1854, L. Aufzählung der Colibris oder Trochilideen in ihrer wahren natiirlichen Verwandtschaft, nebst Schlüssel ihrer Synonymik. Extra., marz, 1–54. besondere Beilage: 1–24.(Enumeration of the colibris or trochilides in their true natural relationship, together with the keys of their synonymy. Extra., Malt, 1-54. Special su

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