Hummingbirds

     There are over 50 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica and each one of them as vibrant and colorful as the last. Hummingbirds are known for being able to hover in mid-air by beating their wings up to 100 beats per minute. These tiny nectar-hungry birds have extremely fast metabolisms and have a heart beat of up to 1,200 beats per minute. These radiant birds are threatened by disease, climate change and habitat loss. The Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica researches hummingbirds as well as protects valuable hummingbird habitat.