Behavior & Facts
Hummingbird Torpor: How They Survive Cold Nights
Torpor lets hummingbirds reduce energy use on cold nights or low-fuel nights, then warm back up and feed after dawn.
Hummingbird Behavior & Facts
Hummingbirds have among the highest metabolic rates of any animal, so they feed many times a day and can drop into torpor on cold nights to save energy. Many defend a good food source fiercely, which is why one bird may chase the others away.
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Updated on October 2, 2026
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