Sy Montgomery's The Hummingbird's Gift was a sublime book. It tells the story of Brenda, a woman who has dedicated much of her life to rehabilitating hummingbirds.
There is a mix of poetry and scientific details in this book. We learn that the life of a hummingbird can be quite a struggle. They are attracted to the color red, even frequently colliding with red cars, and are extremely sensitive to pesticides. Having fast metabolisms, they consume half their body weight in bugs and nectar, feeding every 10-15 minutes. Each minute, they flap their wings 4000 times, breathe 250 times, and beat their hearts 500 times. Additionally, they compete with each other for nectar-bearing flowers, as well as watch out for predators such as eagles, owls, cats, fish, and others. "Each is just a speck -- a firefly, a flash, a brilliant atom. Yet each is an infinite mystery" (50).
This story follows Brenda raising and helping two rescued baby Allen's hummingbirds until they are released into the wild. Every twenty minutes, she has to feed the baby hummingbirds: she has to do this very carefully and delicately, or they may pop. Essentially, hummingbirds are little balls of air with many large air sacs. "They are little more than bubbles fringed with iridescent feathers -- air wrapped in light" (17).
Her setup includes small baskets as well as outside cages for fledging. Raising these tiny creatures requires Brenda to use a magnifying glass, and hummingbirds face a serious obstacle in the form of mites. By using qtips and microwaving nests, Brenda is able to eliminate mites with a very precise and methodical process. While grounded in an arduous reality, there is much tenderness and compassion. Still, hummingbirds are awe-inspiring like glimmering, sleek jewels
I was amazed at how aware and curious hummingbirds are. When the Allen's hummingbirds are finally released into the wild, we see how adaptable they are, learning from experience to outwit each other for feeding on flowers and avoiding predators. They also ask for help from those who have helped them in the past. "Hummingbirds are curious and astute observers. Backyard hummers quickly learn to recognize individual humans and approach people who feed them -- even if they are not carrying food. (Sometimes they'll hover at windows to attract a particular person to come out and refill an empty feeder)... Many folks who feed hummers report that if they're slow to get their feeders out in the spring, hummers show up and hover right where the feeder used to hang the year before" (67).
Overall, I would highly recommend The Hummingbirds' Gift. It helps deepen compassion for all sentient beings. It shows that no matter how small one is, it is the bigness of the heart that counts... And, man, do hummingbirds have big hearts!
The Hummingbirds' Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings
4.7 | 781 ratings
Price: 1.99
Last update: 08-16-2024
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Top reviews from the United States
Spenta Mainyu
Sublime book about "air wrapped in light".
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022JAC2015
Fascinating account of a hummingbird lover
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024Linda Weber
Very interesting!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021Tink61
Just awesome and informative
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Rebecca
Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024NHOV
Very enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024Cookie Luu
Wonderful story
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023Heather B.
Another Inspiring Gem
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2021