It is a thrill to watch this pretty little bird darting about the garden, dipping its long beak into a flower, then flying backward a short distance before zooming off in another direction. This little bird, weighing less than an ounce, sometimes beats its wings 200 times per second!
Have you ever seen a humming bird's nest? They like to gather fuzz from certain ferns, or other light material, to make the desired shape. The male brings load after load of this to its mate, who waits at a chosen place on a limb. When enough material has been collected, they work together to make the nest and tightly fasten it to the branch. Then the male flies off to collect silk threads from several spider webs. He brings these home by flying backward, so he will not get tangled in them. He covers the outside of the home with these threads to add strength. When finished he covers the whole nest with moss to hide it from enemies.
Did you know these little creatures are great travelers? North America is only their summer home. They migrate in the autumn; the males leaving first and the females and young coming later. They fly to Central America, some going by way of Florida and Cuba. Others take a shortcut across the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of five or six hundred miles over water, with never a chance to rest enroute.
We are told these birds eat nothing while migrating these great distances, which is sometimes as much as two thousand miles. This is remarkable, for when nesting and raising their young they must eat their own weight in nectar and insects every day to survive. The secret of flying such great distances without food is they store up fat by eating extra large portions in advance of their flight. This fat, normally about 15% of their weight, increases to around 45% and provides "fuel" for the long journey.
In spite of much studying, no definite answer has been found to explain why they leave when they do, or how they know how to time their return to be back at the exact time their favorite flowers will be coming into bloom. But we do know that their Creator, watching over everything in His creation, has given them the ability to make their journeys at just the right time, directing them, too, over the many miles they must travel.
The Bible does not mention the humming bird by name, but does tell us "Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young." Psa. 84:3. The One who enables the lowly sparrows and swallows to nest and raise their young is the same One who also provides for all the needs of the lovely humming birds.
His word to us is "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye." Psa. 32:8. Are you listening to His instruction and are you willing to let Him guide you in the path of Life? Our Lord Jesus Christ always proves to be a loving Savior to all who put their trust in Him.