Horned Sungem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horned Sungem |
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Heliactin
F. Boie, 1831
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H. bilophus
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| Heliactin bilophus |
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The horned sungem (Heliactin bilophus) is a special type of hummingbird. It's known for its amazing flying skills! This tiny bird can flap its wings super fast, up to 90 times every second when it's hovering to drink sweet nectar from flowers.
Imagine how fast its wing muscles must move! They work more than 10,000 times every minute. The horned sungem lives in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, and Suriname. It prefers places that are mostly dry and open, like savannas and areas called Cerrado. It doesn't like thick, wet forests.
About the Horned Sungem
The horned sungem is a small, colorful bird. It gets its name from the two bright, horn-like tufts of feathers on its head. These feathers can look like tiny horns or crests. Like all hummingbirds, it has a long, thin beak perfect for reaching nectar deep inside flowers.
Where it Lives
This hummingbird makes its home in parts of South America. You can find it in:
It likes specific kinds of places to live. It prefers open or partly open areas that are not too wet. These include:
- Savannas: These are grasslands with scattered trees.
- Cerrado: This is a huge grassland and woodland area in Brazil.
The horned sungem avoids dense, humid forests. It likes sunny spots where it can easily find flowers to feed from.
Amazing Flight
Hummingbirds are famous for their incredible flying abilities, and the horned sungem is no different.
- Fast Wingbeats: When it hovers, its wings beat an astonishing 90 times per second. This speed allows it to stay perfectly still in the air while feeding.
- Muscle Power: To achieve such fast wingbeats, its flight muscles work incredibly hard. They move over 10,000 times every minute! This makes the horned sungem one of the most active birds.
Diet and Behavior
The main food for the horned sungem is nectar. It uses its long tongue to sip the sugary liquid from flowers. Nectar gives it the energy it needs for its super-fast wing movements. Sometimes, it might also eat tiny insects for protein.
Like many hummingbirds, the horned sungem is often seen alone. It defends its feeding territory from other hummingbirds to make sure it has enough food.
See also
In Spanish: Colibrí cuernos de oro para niños
