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HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE THE SMALLEST BIRDS
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00:00:07,428 --> 00:00:09,963
ON THE PLANET...
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BUT THEY HAVE POWERS
AND ABILITIES
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FAR BEYOND THOSE OF OTHER BIRDS.
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00:00:20,177 --> 00:00:22,646
EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM
IS AMAZING --
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00:00:22,713 --> 00:00:26,783
AND MYSTERIOUS...
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00:00:26,853 --> 00:00:30,355
THE WAY THEY LOOK...
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00:00:30,424 --> 00:00:33,559
THE WAY THEY FLY...
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THE WAY THEY'RE BUILT
FOR SURVIVAL.
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00:00:37,732 --> 00:00:43,403
HUMMINGBIRDS LIVE THEIR LIVES
IN FAST-FORWARD,
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INHABITING A REALM
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00:00:46,409 --> 00:00:48,177
THAT'S LARGELY INVISIBLE TO US.
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00:00:50,246 --> 00:00:53,950
FINALLY WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY
TO BREAK DOWN
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00:00:54,019 --> 00:00:56,988
BARRIERS OF TIME AND SPACE...
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00:00:57,056 --> 00:00:59,724
AND IT'S BECOMING CLEAR THAT
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HUMMINGBIRDS ARE
EVEN MORE AMAZING
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00:01:03,363 --> 00:01:05,131
THAN WE COULD HAVE GUESSED.
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00:01:09,738 --> 00:01:12,239
ENTER THE WORLD OF
THE HUMMINGBIRD,
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00:01:12,308 --> 00:01:14,409
WHERE THERE'S MAGIC IN THE AIR.
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NATURE IS MADE POSSIBLE
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IN PART BY:
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CANON
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PROUD SPONSOR
FOR 20 YEARS.
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00:01:56,763 --> 00:01:59,297
AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS
TO YOUR PBS STATION
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00:01:59,366 --> 00:02:01,100
FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
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00:02:09,779 --> 00:02:14,415
Narrator (Abraham): THEY ARE THE MOST
REMARKABLE THINGS ON TWO WINGS.
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HUMMINGBIRDS ARE INTRIGUING...
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ENCHANTING...
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UTTERLY CAPTIVATING.
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00:02:46,224 --> 00:02:51,294
BUT THEY SELDOM PROVIDE US WITH
MORE THAN A FLEETING GLIMPSE.
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NOW, AT LAST, WE'RE ABLE TO
SLOW THEM DOWN
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AND GET UP CLOSE.
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AND AS WE EXPLORE
THEIR UNIVERSE,
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WE DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW
AT EVERY TURN.
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HUMMINGBIRDS LIVE ONLY IN
THE AMERICAS,
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00:03:22,835 --> 00:03:25,336
BUT WITH NEARLY
350 DIFFERENT SPECIES,
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THEY ARE DAZZLING
IN THEIR DIVERSITY.
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00:03:27,909 --> 00:03:31,744
THE SMALLEST OF ALL
WARM-BLOODED CREATURES,
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THEY LIVE ON
THE EDGE OF SURVIVAL.
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00:03:39,923 --> 00:03:43,592
BUT THEY ARE EQUIPPED BY NATURE
TO MEET THE CHALLENGE.
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PERHAPS THEIR GREATEST GIFT
IS THEIR TALENT FOR FLIGHT.
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JUST WATCH HOW
THIS HUMMINGBIRD,
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00:04:11,129 --> 00:04:12,296
A SPECIES CALLED
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"THE MAGNIFICENT,"
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STANDS ITS GROUND
WHILE IT FEEDS --
47
00:04:16,668 --> 00:04:20,503
EVEN IF THE FLOWER IS
BLOWING IN THE WIND.
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00:04:26,113 --> 00:04:27,948
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF
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00:04:28,016 --> 00:04:32,353
THE HUMMINGBIRD'S
AERIAL AGILITY?
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00:04:38,162 --> 00:04:41,064
BIOLOGIST DOUG ALTSHULER
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WAS INTRIGUED BY THAT QUESTION,
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AND HE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE.
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Altshuler: I HAVE TREMENDOUS
RESPECT FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.
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THEY REALLY ARE, I THINK,
SOME OF THE MOST
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00:04:49,942 --> 00:04:51,709
ELITE ATHLETES
IN THE ANIMAL WORLD.
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00:04:54,748 --> 00:04:56,182
Abraham: HE HAS TURNED HIS LAB
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AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT RIVERSIDE
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00:04:58,119 --> 00:05:00,153
INTO A KIND OF
HUMMINGBIRD TRAINING CENTER,
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00:05:00,222 --> 00:05:03,291
WITH CUSTOM-DESIGNED
WORKOUT STATIONS,
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00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,960
WHERE HE CAN ASSESS
THE LIMITS OF THEIR ABILITIES.
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00:05:18,879 --> 00:05:21,147
TO TEST THEIR COORDINATION,
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HE USES A REVOLVING FEEDER
FILLED WITH NECTAR --
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THE HUMMER'S FAVORITE FOOD.
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MULTIPLE CAMERAS RECORD HOW THIS
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00:05:37,501 --> 00:05:40,669
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD
TWISTS AND TURNS,
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00:05:40,738 --> 00:05:42,940
FINE-TUNING ITS POSITION
SO IT CAN KEEP UP.
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00:05:43,008 --> 00:05:44,842
Altshuler: ONE OF THE THINGS
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00:05:44,910 --> 00:05:47,378
WE'VE BEEN QUITE
SURPRISED TO LEARN
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00:05:47,447 --> 00:05:49,748
IS THAT IF WE LOOK AT ALL
OF THESE BEHAVIORS,
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00:05:49,817 --> 00:05:52,252
WE SEE THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY
A VERY RESTRICTED SET
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00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:53,820
OF SMALL TYPES OF MANEUVERS.
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00:06:01,998 --> 00:06:05,533
Abraham: FROM A LIMITED
REPERTOIRE OF MOVES,
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THE HUMMINGBIRD CONSTRUCTS
A DANCE
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OF INCREDIBLE GRACE
AND PRECISION.
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00:06:10,108 --> 00:06:12,109
Altshuler: YOU COULD ALMOST
THINK OF IT LIKE THE MOVES
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00:06:12,177 --> 00:06:13,610
THAT A BALLERINA MAKES --
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00:06:13,679 --> 00:06:17,148
SHE MIGHT MAKE A PIROUETTE.
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00:06:17,217 --> 00:06:19,418
AND SHE MIGHT MAKE
OTHER SPECIFIC MOVES.
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00:06:19,486 --> 00:06:21,354
AND, FROM THOSE,
CONSTRUCT A MORE COMPLEX
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00:06:21,422 --> 00:06:22,856
AND INTRICATE DANCE.
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00:06:22,923 --> 00:06:27,693
AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE SEE
THAT THE HUMMINGBIRDS ARE DOING.
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00:06:35,539 --> 00:06:38,674
Abraham: THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF
THESE TINY DANCERS
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00:06:38,743 --> 00:06:41,645
REVOLVES AROUND ONE TALENT
IN PARTICULAR --
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THEY CAN HOVER.
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00:06:53,428 --> 00:06:57,931
THAT'S WHY HUMMINGBIRDS SEEM SO
PERFECTLY BALANCED IN MID-AIR,
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00:06:58,001 --> 00:07:01,336
AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING,
RATHER THAN FLYING.
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00:07:05,843 --> 00:07:10,213
THEIR WINGS ARE UNLIKE THOSE OF
ANY OTHER BIRDS.
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00:07:10,282 --> 00:07:12,116
WITH THEIR FLEXIBLE SHOULDERS
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00:07:12,185 --> 00:07:15,086
THEY CAN EVEN MOVE THEM
IN A FIGURE EIGHT --
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00:07:15,155 --> 00:07:18,623
AND THEY GAIN LIFT
FROM BOTH SIDES.
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00:07:18,692 --> 00:07:20,660
Altshuler: HUMMINGBIRDS ARE
QUITE IMPRESSIVE
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00:07:20,727 --> 00:07:22,695
IN THE FLIGHT BEHAVIORS
THAT THEY ENGAGE IN.
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00:07:22,764 --> 00:07:26,500
AND THIS INCLUDES MANEUVERING
AND REALLY THE ABILITY TO DO
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00:07:26,569 --> 00:07:30,438
SORT-OF UNUSUAL BEHAVIORS
SUCH AS FLYING BACKWARDS,
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00:07:30,506 --> 00:07:33,075
TURNING ON A DIME,
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00:07:33,143 --> 00:07:36,712
AND EVEN BRIEFLY FLYING
UPSIDE DOWN.
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00:07:36,781 --> 00:07:38,982
ALL OF THESE BEHAVIORS,
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00:07:39,051 --> 00:07:41,586
REALLY, ARE RELATED TO
THEIR ABILITY TO HOVER.
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00:07:50,864 --> 00:07:53,467
Abraham: THE HOVERING SKILL
OF THE HUMMINGBIRD
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IS UNIQUE IN THE AVIAN WORLD.
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ONLY INSECTS CAN FLY LIKE THAT.
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00:08:01,946 --> 00:08:05,248
THE HUMMINGBIRDS' ABILITY
TO HOVER
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EVOLVED FOR A SIMPLE REASON --
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IT ENABLES THEM
TO DINE ON NECTAR.
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SINCE MOST FLOWERS DON'T OFFER
A PLACE TO PERCH,
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HOVERING IS THEIR
ONLY ALTERNATIVE.
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00:08:32,217 --> 00:08:33,651
THIS UNUSUAL DIET
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00:08:33,718 --> 00:08:35,985
HAS FORGED AN EVOLUTIONARY BOND
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00:08:36,054 --> 00:08:38,789
BETWEEN HUMMINGBIRDS
AND FLOWERS.
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00:08:55,912 --> 00:08:57,946
IN THE MOUNTAIN FORESTS
OF ECUADOR,
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00:08:58,014 --> 00:09:00,749
THERE LIVES A HUMMINGBIRD
THAT GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS
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00:09:00,818 --> 00:09:02,386
IN ORDER TO FEED.
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00:09:12,432 --> 00:09:15,267
THE SWORDBILL
LIVES UP TO ITS NAME.
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00:09:15,336 --> 00:09:22,441
ITS 4-INCH BILL IS ACTUALLY
LONGER THAN ITS BODY.
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00:09:22,511 --> 00:09:25,646
IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY...
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00:09:25,715 --> 00:09:27,982
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FLOWER
ON WHICH IT FEEDS.
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00:09:32,524 --> 00:09:35,259
THE TRUMPET-LIKE BLOSSOMS
OF THE DATURA
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00:09:35,328 --> 00:09:37,696
HANG STRAIGHT DOWN.
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00:09:37,764 --> 00:09:41,633
AND ITS NECTAR IS TUCKED AWAY
AT THE VERY TOP.
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00:09:52,415 --> 00:09:54,949
BECAUSE THE NECTAR
IS SO HARD TO REACH,
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00:09:55,017 --> 00:09:59,455
ONLY THOSE WITH THE RIGHT
EQUIPMENT CAN GAIN ACCESS.
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00:10:05,898 --> 00:10:08,967
OVER TIME,
THE BLOSSOMS HAVE GROWN LONGER,
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00:10:09,035 --> 00:10:11,936
AND SWORDBILLS HAVE EVOLVED
TO KEEP UP.
124
00:10:14,476 --> 00:10:18,145
THE DATURA HAS
AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE --
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00:10:18,213 --> 00:10:22,284
IT'S BRIBING THE SWORDBILL
TO GAIN ITS HELP
126
00:10:22,352 --> 00:10:24,287
IN REPRODUCTION.
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00:10:27,223 --> 00:10:30,959
AS THE BIRD FEEDS,
IT'S DUSTED WITH POLLEN --
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00:10:31,029 --> 00:10:34,465
WHICH IT CARRIES TO
THE NEXT BLOSSOM.
129
00:10:34,534 --> 00:10:41,039
THE SWORDBILL HAS BECOME
A DATURA SPECIALIST,
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00:10:41,109 --> 00:10:43,576
AND THAT MAKES IT
THE PERFECT POLLINATOR.
131
00:10:43,644 --> 00:10:47,847
THIS MAY BE THE ULTIMATE
IN "FLOWER POWER" --
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00:10:47,917 --> 00:10:51,886
A PLANT REMAKING A BIRD
TO DO ITS BIDDING.
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00:11:01,334 --> 00:11:06,237
THE DATURA IS FAR FROM UNIQUE.
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00:11:06,306 --> 00:11:10,376
SOME 8,000 PLANT SPECIES
THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS
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00:11:10,445 --> 00:11:14,380
DEPEND ON HUMMINGBIRDS ALONE
FOR POLLINATION.
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00:11:14,449 --> 00:11:20,721
THEIR WIDE RANGE OF
FLOWER SHAPES HAS CO-EVOLVED
137
00:11:20,790 --> 00:11:22,224
WITH HUMMINGBIRD POLLINATORS
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00:11:22,292 --> 00:11:24,327
TO PRODUCE AN INFINITE VARIETY
OF LONG BILLS,
139
00:11:24,395 --> 00:11:26,429
SHORT BILLS,
140
00:11:26,498 --> 00:11:28,432
AND CURVED BILLS --
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00:11:28,501 --> 00:11:33,003
ALL DESIGNED TO FIT
THEIR FAVORITE BLOSSOMS,
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00:11:33,072 --> 00:11:35,273
LIKE A KEY IN A LOCK.
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00:12:16,092 --> 00:12:17,927
BUT CO-EVOLUTION ALONE
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00:12:17,994 --> 00:12:23,565
CANNOT EXPLAIN THE BIZARRE CASE
OF THE PURPLE-THROATED CARIB.
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00:12:23,635 --> 00:12:25,836
IT'S A MYSTERY THAT UNFOLDS
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00:12:25,904 --> 00:12:29,372
ON THE TINY CARIBBEAN ISLAND
OF DOMINICA.
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00:12:33,013 --> 00:12:35,981
LUSH RAIN FORESTS
COVER THE MOUNTAINS
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00:12:36,049 --> 00:12:37,950
OF THE ISLAND'S INTERIOR.
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00:12:41,590 --> 00:12:44,859
THEY'RE HOME TO
SPECTACULAR FLOWERING PLANTS,
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00:12:44,928 --> 00:12:48,263
AND TO HUMMINGBIRDS
THAT HARVEST THEIR NECTAR.
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00:12:51,569 --> 00:12:53,402
THAT INCLUDES TWO HUMMERS
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00:12:53,472 --> 00:12:56,474
WHOSE BILLS HAVE
VERY DIFFERENT SHAPES.
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00:12:56,541 --> 00:12:58,375
AND HERE'S THE TWIST --
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00:12:58,444 --> 00:13:01,913
THESE TWO BIRDS BELONG TO
THE SAME SPECIES.
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00:13:01,982 --> 00:13:04,750
THEY ARE BOTH
PURPLE-THROATED CARIBS --
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00:13:04,819 --> 00:13:08,320
THE MALE ON THE LEFT,
THE FEMALE ON THE RIGHT.
157
00:13:08,389 --> 00:13:12,526
THE QUESTION IS,
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00:13:12,595 --> 00:13:14,762
WHY DID THIS SPECIES END UP WITH
159
00:13:14,831 --> 00:13:17,399
SUCH DRAMATIC
GENDER DIFFERENCES?
160
00:13:21,373 --> 00:13:22,873
BIOLOGIST ETHAN TEMELES
161
00:13:22,940 --> 00:13:26,776
KNEW THAT THE BEST PLACE
TO LOOK FOR THE ANSWER
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00:13:26,845 --> 00:13:29,647
WAS IN THE FLOWERS.
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00:13:29,716 --> 00:13:34,252
MALE AND FEMALE CARIBS
BOTH FEED ON HELICONIAS,
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00:13:34,322 --> 00:13:36,456
WHICH HAVE
VERY COMPLICATED BLOSSOMS
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00:13:36,525 --> 00:13:38,591
HIDDEN WITHIN
BIG MODIFIED LEAVES.
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00:13:38,660 --> 00:13:42,295
I'LL CUT THIS AWAY
FOR YOU HERE.
167
00:13:42,364 --> 00:13:45,066
YOU CAN SEE THE FRESH FLOWER
PEEKING OUT RIGHT THERE.
168
00:13:47,839 --> 00:13:49,673
THIS LITTLE THING,
I'M LIFTING IT UP RIGHT HERE.
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00:13:49,741 --> 00:13:51,942
OKAY, THAT'S CALLED
THE STAMINODE.
170
00:13:52,011 --> 00:13:54,178
AND IT BLOCKS
THE NECTAR CHAMBER.
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00:13:54,246 --> 00:13:56,847
SO WHEN THE BIRD FEEDS,
IT ACTUALLY
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00:13:56,916 --> 00:13:58,917
STICKS ITS BEAK IN
ALL ALONG HERE,
173
00:13:58,985 --> 00:14:02,087
AND THEN ITS TONGUE WILL GO BACK
INTO THE NECTAR CHAMBER
174
00:14:02,156 --> 00:14:04,057
AS IT FEEDS ON THE NECTAR.
175
00:14:04,124 --> 00:14:06,826
Abraham:
THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIETIES
176
00:14:06,895 --> 00:14:09,363
OF THE HELICONIA
ON THIS ISLAND.
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00:14:09,432 --> 00:14:11,365
AND THE MALES AND FEMALES
178
00:14:11,434 --> 00:14:14,870
HAVE EVOLVED TO FEED ON
DIFFERENT ONES.
179
00:14:14,939 --> 00:14:17,774
Temeles: THIS IS A MALE
PURPLE-THROATED CARIB.
180
00:14:17,841 --> 00:14:20,342
THE BILL IS SHORT AND STRAIGHT.
181
00:14:20,411 --> 00:14:21,845
THERE GOES HIS TONGUE.
182
00:14:21,914 --> 00:14:25,450
A FEMALE BEAK IS ABOUT
THAT MUCH LONGER,
183
00:14:25,518 --> 00:14:28,286
AND MUCH MORE CURVED.
184
00:14:28,354 --> 00:14:30,756
Abraham: THE FEMALE FEEDS ON
185
00:14:30,824 --> 00:14:34,093
THE VARIETY CALLED
HELICONIA BIHAI,
186
00:14:34,161 --> 00:14:40,968
WHOSE LONG, CURVED FLOWER
PERFECTLY MATCHES HER BILL.
187
00:14:41,037 --> 00:14:45,272
THE MALE PREFERS
A DIFFERENT KIND --
188
00:14:45,342 --> 00:14:47,577
HELICONIA CARRIBAEA.
189
00:14:47,645 --> 00:14:49,946
NOT ONLY DOES ITS
SHORT, STRAIGHT FLOWER
190
00:14:50,015 --> 00:14:52,049
HAVE THE RIGHT SHAPE
FOR HIS BILL,
191
00:14:52,118 --> 00:14:54,886
IT'S ALSO EXTREMELY RICH
IN NECTAR.
192
00:14:54,954 --> 00:14:57,823
IN FACT, IT HAS ABOUT
50 TIMES MORE NECTAR
193
00:14:57,891 --> 00:15:00,425
THAN A TYPICAL
HUMMINGBIRD FLOWER.
194
00:15:00,494 --> 00:15:05,031
THE MALE CARIB
IS BIGGER THAN THE FEMALE,
195
00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:08,035
SO HE HAS THE WILL AND THE MEANS
TO DEFEND HIS TREASURE
196
00:15:08,104 --> 00:15:09,537
AGAINST ANY COMPETITORS.
197
00:15:23,990 --> 00:15:25,590
TEMELES BELIEVES THAT
198
00:15:25,659 --> 00:15:28,393
WHEN THE ANCESTORS OF
MODERN CARIBS
199
00:15:28,462 --> 00:15:30,030
FIRST COLONIZED THE ISLAND,
200
00:15:30,098 --> 00:15:33,299
THE AGGRESSIVE MALES STAKED OUT
THE RICHEST FOOD SOURCE,
201
00:15:33,368 --> 00:15:34,835
AND NEVER LET IT GO.
202
00:15:34,903 --> 00:15:38,605
Temeles: MALES CLAIMED
THE MOST REWARDING HELICONIA,
203
00:15:38,675 --> 00:15:40,809
THE FEMALES WERE LEFT WITH
THE LESS REWARDING,
204
00:15:40,878 --> 00:15:42,879
AND THEN OVER TIME
THE BILLS OF THESE BIRDS
205
00:15:42,947 --> 00:15:47,817
EVOLVED AND ADAPTED TO
THE TWO SPECIES OF HELICONIA.
206
00:15:47,886 --> 00:15:51,855
Abraham: THIS ODD
EVOLUTIONARY CHAIN OF EVENTS
207
00:15:51,924 --> 00:15:56,027
WAS PREDICTED BY NONE OTHER THAN
CHARLES DARWIN.
208
00:16:01,603 --> 00:16:02,736
BACK IN THE 1870's
209
00:16:02,804 --> 00:16:05,338
HE THEORIZED THAT
SEPARATE FOOD SOURCES
210
00:16:05,407 --> 00:16:07,742
COULD PRODUCE
DIFFERENT BILL SHAPES
211
00:16:07,811 --> 00:16:09,377
IN MALE AND FEMALE BIRDS.
212
00:16:09,445 --> 00:16:14,616
IT TURNS OUT DARWIN WAS RIGHT --
213
00:16:14,686 --> 00:16:18,322
AND THE CARIBS ARE LIVING PROOF.
214
00:16:42,186 --> 00:16:45,989
ALTHOUGH HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE BUILT TO FEED ON NECTAR,
215
00:16:46,058 --> 00:16:48,760
THEY CANNOT LIVE
BY NECTAR ALONE.
216
00:16:52,766 --> 00:16:55,200
IT DOESN'T PROVIDE ANY PROTEIN.
217
00:16:55,269 --> 00:16:59,105
SO HOW DO THEY FILL OUT
THEIR DIET?
218
00:16:59,174 --> 00:17:01,341
SURPRISINGLY, THESE CREATURES
219
00:17:01,410 --> 00:17:04,279
THAT APPEAR SO DELICATE
AND PEACEFUL
220
00:17:04,347 --> 00:17:06,682
ARE ACTUALLY AGGRESSIVE HUNTERS.
221
00:17:06,750 --> 00:17:10,385
THEY PREY ON INSECTS,
222
00:17:10,453 --> 00:17:13,455
WHICH CAN MAKE UP MORE THAN
A QUARTER OF THEIR DAILY DIET.
223
00:17:13,524 --> 00:17:18,128
AND THEY COME BY THEIR TASTE
FOR BUGS QUITE NATURALLY.
224
00:17:18,198 --> 00:17:23,567
HUMMINGBIRDS ARE EVOLUTIONARY
COUSINS OF SWIFTS --
225
00:17:23,636 --> 00:17:26,438
SPEEDY LITTLE BIRDS
WITH SHORT BILLS,
226
00:17:26,507 --> 00:17:28,641
WHICH LIVE MAINLY ON INSECTS.
227
00:17:31,848 --> 00:17:35,984
AND, LIKE SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE EXPERTS AT AERIAL PREDATION.
228
00:17:39,990 --> 00:17:41,557
BUT SCIENTISTS
229
00:17:41,626 --> 00:17:44,394
HAD NEVER REALLY FIGURED OUT
HOW HUMMINGBIRDS --
230
00:17:44,462 --> 00:17:47,198
WHOSE BILLS ARE DESIGNED TO
FEED ON FLOWERS --
231
00:17:47,266 --> 00:17:50,202
MANAGE TO CATCH INSECTS
WITH SUCH DEADLY ACCURACY.
232
00:17:53,875 --> 00:17:57,643
BIOLOGIST GREGOR YANEGA WAS
IMPRESSED BY THE BIRDS' SKILL --
233
00:17:57,712 --> 00:18:00,747
BUT STUDYING THEIR TECHNIQUE
WOULD NOT BE EASY.
234
00:18:00,816 --> 00:18:02,416
Yanega: IT'S HARD TO SEE.
235
00:18:02,485 --> 00:18:05,420
THEY ARE VERY SMALL
AND IT HAPPENS VERY FAST.
236
00:18:05,489 --> 00:18:07,357
AND, FOR THAT REASON,
WE REALLY DO NEED TO USE
237
00:18:07,424 --> 00:18:09,359
SOME SORT OF TECHNOLOGY,
LIKE HIGH-SPEED VIDEO,
238
00:18:09,427 --> 00:18:10,828
TO GET A LOOK AT
WHAT'S GOING ON.
239
00:18:10,895 --> 00:18:14,297
Abraham: TO EXAMINE THEIR
METHODS, YANEGA CONSTRUCTED
240
00:18:14,366 --> 00:18:16,667
A MORE CONFINED HUNTING GROUND.
241
00:18:16,736 --> 00:18:18,770
IT'S BASICALLY A BIG FISH TANK
242
00:18:18,838 --> 00:18:20,672
STOCKED WITH A LOT OF
FRUIT FLIES
243
00:18:20,741 --> 00:18:24,710
AND ONE HUNGRY
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.
244
00:18:29,185 --> 00:18:30,618
YOU MIGHT EXPECT THAT
245
00:18:30,686 --> 00:18:32,220
THE HUMMER WOULD USE
HIS LONG BILL
246
00:18:32,288 --> 00:18:33,955
LIKE TWEEZERS OR CHOPSTICKS
247
00:18:34,024 --> 00:18:36,558
TO SNATCH INSECTS
OUT OF THE AIR.
248
00:18:36,627 --> 00:18:38,929
THAT WOULD BE QUITE A FEAT.
249
00:18:38,997 --> 00:18:41,231
Yanega: IF OUR LIPS AND JAWS
COULD EXTEND IN FRONT OF US
250
00:18:41,300 --> 00:18:42,767
APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET
IN LENGTH,
251
00:18:42,835 --> 00:18:44,602
YOU KNOW,
THEN IMAGINE TRYING TO,
252
00:18:44,669 --> 00:18:46,504
YOU KNOW,
GRAB YOUR NEAREST ORANGE
253
00:18:46,572 --> 00:18:49,074
OR SOMETHING, WITH JAWS
THAT ARE FOUR FEET LONG.
254
00:18:49,142 --> 00:18:50,709
Abraham: SLOW MOTION REVEALS
255
00:18:50,778 --> 00:18:53,213
JUST HOW THE HUMMINGBIRD
MAKES THE KILL.
256
00:19:07,198 --> 00:19:08,598
OH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE!
257
00:19:08,666 --> 00:19:11,835
Abraham: RATHER THAN USING
THE TIPS OF HIS BILL
258
00:19:11,904 --> 00:19:14,639
LIKE CHOPSTICKS,
THE HUMMER OPENS WIDE --
259
00:19:14,707 --> 00:19:18,343
AND THE FLIES
NEVER STAND A CHANCE.
260
00:19:18,412 --> 00:19:20,947
Yanega: HE'S NOT GOING ALONG
WITH THE CHOPSTICK MODEL OF,
261
00:19:21,015 --> 00:19:23,050
"I'M GOING TO PICK EVERYTHING
OFF WITH THIS LONG BEAK,"
262
00:19:23,117 --> 00:19:24,451
AND ONLY USE
THE TIP OF THE BEAK.
263
00:19:24,519 --> 00:19:26,187
HE'S USING, REALLY,
THE BASE OF THE BEAK
264
00:19:26,255 --> 00:19:28,122
AND TRYING TO USE
THE FATTEST PART OF HIS JAWS
265
00:19:28,191 --> 00:19:30,059
TO CATCH THE FLIES.
266
00:19:30,126 --> 00:19:32,626
Abraham: THE HUMMER'S LOWER BILL
CAACTUALLY BEND
267
00:19:32,695 --> 00:19:36,165
IN THE MIDDLE,
TO SPREAD AN EXTRA 20 DEGREES,
268
00:19:36,233 --> 00:19:38,935
CONVERTING THOSE CHOPSTICKS INTO
A CATCHER'S MITT.
269
00:19:39,004 --> 00:19:41,372
Yanega: THROUGH THIS FLEXION
OF THEIR JAWS,
270
00:19:41,441 --> 00:19:44,242
THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE
A REALLY LARGE CAPTURE SURFACE.
271
00:19:48,615 --> 00:19:50,049
Abraham: WITH THAT BIG GULP,
272
00:19:50,117 --> 00:19:52,518
A HUMMINGBIRD MANAGES TO KEEP
ITS LONG BILL
273
00:19:52,587 --> 00:19:53,887
OUT OF THE WAY.
274
00:19:53,956 --> 00:19:56,992
AND THAT MAKES IT
A LETHAL PREDATOR.
275
00:19:57,059 --> 00:20:02,063
LESS LIKE "TINKERBELL,"
AND MORE LIKE "JAWS."
276
00:20:14,948 --> 00:20:17,783
WHETHER THEY'RE FEEDING ON
BUGS OR BLOSSOMS,
277
00:20:17,852 --> 00:20:19,419
HUMMINGBIRDS MUST CONSUME
278
00:20:19,487 --> 00:20:24,257
A LOT OF FOOD JUST TO MAKE IT
THROUGH THE DAY.
279
00:20:24,326 --> 00:20:29,363
ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN HALF THEIR
BODY WEIGHT, IN NECTAR ALONE.
280
00:20:34,806 --> 00:20:38,175
THAT MEANS VISITING
MORE THAN A THOUSAND FLOWERS
281
00:20:38,244 --> 00:20:40,345
BETWEEN DAWN AND DUSK.
282
00:20:58,368 --> 00:21:00,069
AND IT'S NO WONDER
THEY EAT SO MUCH --
283
00:21:00,137 --> 00:21:04,374
A HUMMINGBIRD'S METABOLISM
284
00:21:04,443 --> 00:21:08,010
IS STUCK IN OVERDRIVE.
285
00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,981
EVEN AT REST,
286
00:21:11,050 --> 00:21:15,120
THE BIRD'S HEART RATE CAN BE
UP TO 600 BEATS PER MINUTE.
287
00:21:15,189 --> 00:21:17,022
[ HEART BEATING RAPIDLY ]
288
00:21:17,092 --> 00:21:20,594
AND THAT CAN DOUBLE
WHEN IT'S FLYING.
289
00:21:20,662 --> 00:21:23,997
[ HEART BEATING MORE RAPIDLY ]
290
00:21:24,066 --> 00:21:25,900
[ WINGS HUMMING ]
291
00:21:25,969 --> 00:21:27,403
AND THOSE TINY WINGS
292
00:21:27,471 --> 00:21:30,706
BEAT UP TO 200 TIMES
EVERY SECOND.
293
00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,615
IT'S AN ENDLESS CYCLE --
294
00:21:37,683 --> 00:21:40,784
CONSTANT FEEDING GIVES HUMMERS
295
00:21:40,853 --> 00:21:43,688
THE ENERGY TO STAY ON THE MOVE.
296
00:21:43,757 --> 00:21:45,558
BUT THEY BURN CALORIES
297
00:21:45,626 --> 00:21:49,429
AT SUCH A STEEP RATE,
IT LEAVES THEM ONLY
298
00:21:49,499 --> 00:21:51,399
A NARROW MARGIN OF SURVIVAL.
299
00:21:58,342 --> 00:22:01,144
TO FIND ENOUGH TO EAT,
SOME HUMMINGBIRDS,
300
00:22:01,212 --> 00:22:03,247
LIKE THE WHITE-WHISKERED HERMIT,
301
00:22:03,315 --> 00:22:05,216
RANGE OVER A WIDE AREA,
302
00:22:05,284 --> 00:22:08,819
FEEDING ON
ANY AVAILABLE FLOWERS.
303
00:22:08,888 --> 00:22:12,390
OTHERS, LIKE THIS
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT,
304
00:22:12,459 --> 00:22:15,794
STAKE OUT A PATCH OF
NECTAR-RICH FLOWERS
305
00:22:15,863 --> 00:22:18,031
AND DEFEND IT AT ALL COSTS.
306
00:22:27,411 --> 00:22:31,714
HUMMINGBIRDS WON'T
TOLERATE TRESPASSERS,
307
00:22:31,783 --> 00:22:34,751
AND THEIR AERIAL DOGFIGHTS
ARE INTENSE.
308
00:22:51,441 --> 00:22:54,710
FOR BOTH BIRDS,
THE NECTAR IN THESE FLOWERS
309
00:22:54,778 --> 00:22:58,281
COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
LIFE AND DEATH.
310
00:23:02,153 --> 00:23:06,657
BUT FINDING FOOD
IS ONLY PART OF THE EQUATION.
311
00:23:06,726 --> 00:23:10,929
CONSERVING ENERGY
IS CRUCIAL, TOO.
312
00:23:14,870 --> 00:23:17,804
AT NIGHT, WHEN A HUMMINGBIRD
CAN'T FEED,
313
00:23:17,873 --> 00:23:21,243
IT FACES THE RISK OF
SIMPLY RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
314
00:23:21,311 --> 00:23:24,580
AND PERISHING IN ITS SLEEP.
315
00:23:24,649 --> 00:23:27,917
ONCE AGAIN,
HUMMERS HAVE EVOLVED A WAY OF
316
00:23:27,986 --> 00:23:30,054
DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM.
317
00:23:38,165 --> 00:23:39,499
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS,
318
00:23:39,567 --> 00:23:42,302
THE HUMMINGBIRD SETTLES
ONTO A SAFE PERCH,
319
00:23:42,371 --> 00:23:45,373
AND IT FLUFFS UP ITS FEATHERS
LIKE A DOWN COAT
320
00:23:45,441 --> 00:23:47,642
TO RETAIN BODY HEAT.
321
00:23:47,709 --> 00:23:53,281
INFRARED VIDEO SHOWS WARMER
AREAS AS RED, COOLER AS BLUE.
322
00:23:56,554 --> 00:23:59,055
AS THE TEMPERATURE
CONTINUES TO FALL,
323
00:23:59,124 --> 00:24:01,393
THE HUMMINGBIRD
CONSERVES ENERGY
324
00:24:01,460 --> 00:24:04,861
BY ADJUSTING ITS THERMOSTAT,
AND PRODUCING LESS HEAT.
325
00:24:04,930 --> 00:24:10,335
IT ENTERS A LOW-ENERGY STATE
CALLED "TORPOR."
326
00:24:10,405 --> 00:24:13,540
IT'S LIKE GOING
INTO HIBERNATION.
327
00:24:17,013 --> 00:24:19,547
THE BIRD'S BODY TEMPERATURE,
328
00:24:19,616 --> 00:24:21,850
NORMALLY 105 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
329
00:24:21,918 --> 00:24:23,819
CAN DROP BY MORE THAN HALF.
330
00:24:26,858 --> 00:24:29,727
IN INFRARED,
THE HUMMINGBIRD IN TORPOR
331
00:24:29,796 --> 00:24:33,264
APPEARS AS COOL BLUE,
LIKE THE AIR AROUND IT.
332
00:24:40,342 --> 00:24:43,344
AND ITS HEART RATE
SLOWS WAY DOWN --
333
00:24:43,412 --> 00:24:46,180
TO AS LOW AS
36 BEATS PER MINUTE.
334
00:24:46,249 --> 00:24:48,183
[ HEART BEATING SLOWLY ]
335
00:24:54,258 --> 00:24:55,625
THEN, WHEN THE AIR WARMS
336
00:24:55,693 --> 00:24:57,961
AT DAWN,
THE BIRD SLOWLY EMERGES
337
00:24:58,029 --> 00:25:00,631
FROM TORPOR --
338
00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:03,836
AND ITS VITAL SIGNS
RAMP BACK UP TO NORMAL.
339
00:25:12,481 --> 00:25:16,751
SOME HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE FOUND
ANOTHER WAY TO SAVE ENERGY.
340
00:25:26,766 --> 00:25:31,936
INSTEAD OF HOVERING TO FEED,
THE ANDEAN HILLSTAR HOPS.
341
00:25:40,682 --> 00:25:42,149
THE HILLSTAR LIVES ON
342
00:25:42,217 --> 00:25:44,852
THE HIGH VOLCANIC PLAINS
OF SOUTH AMERICA,
343
00:25:44,921 --> 00:25:48,256
AT AN ALTITUDE OF 12,000 FEET.
344
00:25:48,325 --> 00:25:52,896
THE THIN MOUNTAIN AIR
MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FLY,
345
00:25:52,964 --> 00:25:56,332
LET ALONE HOVER.
346
00:25:56,401 --> 00:26:00,671
FORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE FLOWERS
HERE GROW CLOSE TO THE GROUND.
347
00:26:05,279 --> 00:26:07,414
THIS MAY SEEM LIKE
A STRANGE
348
00:26:07,483 --> 00:26:10,251
FORAGING TECHNIQUE
FOR A HUMMINGBIRD.
349
00:26:10,319 --> 00:26:14,955
HOPPING AND PERCHING CONSUME
A LOT LESS ENERGY THAN HOVERING.
350
00:26:27,306 --> 00:26:29,607
WITH THEIR AMAZING ADAPTATIONS,
351
00:26:29,676 --> 00:26:33,078
HUMMINGBIRDS CAN SURVIVE
EXTREME CONDITIONS.
352
00:26:33,146 --> 00:26:36,916
THE SURVIVAL OF A SPECIES,
353
00:26:36,985 --> 00:26:42,122
HOWEVER, INVOLVES A WHOLE OTHER
SET OF SKILLS.
354
00:26:42,192 --> 00:26:47,796
FOR HUMMINGBIRDS,
AS FOR MANY OTHER CREATURES,
355
00:26:47,866 --> 00:26:50,701
SEX IS A GAME
IN WHICH FEMALES MAKE THE RULES.
356
00:26:55,308 --> 00:26:58,176
A FEMALE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT
SHE'S LOOKING FOR.
357
00:26:58,245 --> 00:27:03,048
IT'S UP TO MALES
TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION.
358
00:27:06,889 --> 00:27:10,558
[ CALLING ]
359
00:27:10,627 --> 00:27:13,962
SOME MALES LIKE TO ANNOUNCE
THEIR PRESENCE WITH A SONG,
360
00:27:14,031 --> 00:27:16,097
LIKE THE INSISTENT CHIRPING
361
00:27:16,166 --> 00:27:19,268
OF THIS ECUADORIAN
LONG-BILLED HERMIT.
362
00:27:24,911 --> 00:27:30,649
THE LONG-TAILED SYLPH
USES HIS FEATHERS TO WOO A MATE.
363
00:27:30,718 --> 00:27:35,688
ONLY THE MALE SPORTS
THAT EXTRAVAGANT ACCESSORY.
364
00:27:41,097 --> 00:27:44,567
WHEN A MALE RUFOUS
SPOTS A FEMALE IN HIS TERRITORY,
365
00:27:44,635 --> 00:27:49,939
HE LAUNCHES INTO A DANCE,
BEST APPRECIATED IN SLOW MOTION.
366
00:27:58,986 --> 00:28:01,187
WHILE HE SHUTTLES
BACK AND FORTH,
367
00:28:01,255 --> 00:28:05,224
THE FEMALE PLAYS COY,
HIDING IN THE FLOWERS.
368
00:28:05,293 --> 00:28:09,096
BUT HE KNOWS RIGHT WHERE
HIS AUDIENCE IS.
369
00:28:17,242 --> 00:28:19,143
WHEN IT COMES TO
HUMMINGBIRD MATING DISPLAYS,
370
00:28:19,211 --> 00:28:23,914
NOTHING CAN TOUCH THE ANNA'S.
371
00:28:23,984 --> 00:28:28,020
MALE ANNA'S,
WITH THEIR TRADEMARK
372
00:28:28,089 --> 00:28:30,223
FIERY RED CROWNS AND NECKS,
373
00:28:30,291 --> 00:28:32,392
PUT ON AN ELABORATE DISPLAY
374
00:28:32,460 --> 00:28:35,762
TO INTIMIDATE RIVALS
AND ATTRACT A MATE.
375
00:28:39,168 --> 00:28:42,804
THE MAIN EVENT IS A STEEP DIVE
AT BREAKNECK SPEED --
376
00:28:42,873 --> 00:28:45,441
ALMOST TOO FAST
FOR THE HUMAN EYE.
377
00:28:45,510 --> 00:28:48,245
[ BRIEF SQUEAK ]
378
00:28:48,313 --> 00:28:49,981
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IT,
379
00:28:50,050 --> 00:28:53,317
BUT THE FEMALE
CERTAINLY NOTICED.
380
00:28:53,386 --> 00:28:54,687
HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK.
381
00:28:54,755 --> 00:28:55,821
[ SQUEAK ]
382
00:28:55,889 --> 00:28:58,557
THERE'S ONE THING
YOU CAN'T MISS --
383
00:28:58,626 --> 00:29:02,195
EVERY DIVE IS PUNCTUATED BY
A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAK.
384
00:29:02,264 --> 00:29:03,865
[ SQUEAK ]
385
00:29:03,933 --> 00:29:06,902
SO THIS IS THE TERRITORY
I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT...
386
00:29:06,971 --> 00:29:08,403
Abraham:
BIOLOGIST CHRIS CLARKE
387
00:29:08,471 --> 00:29:11,339
IS INVESTIGATING
THE ANNA'S MATING DISPLAY.
388
00:29:11,408 --> 00:29:15,078
HE AND HIS ASSISTANT,
TERESA FEO,
389
00:29:15,147 --> 00:29:16,814
HAVE BROUGHT SOME
SPECIALIZED GEAR
390
00:29:16,882 --> 00:29:20,417
TO A PARK ON THE EDGE OF
SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
391
00:29:20,486 --> 00:29:22,320
Clarke: OKAY, IT'S RIGHT THERE.
392
00:29:22,389 --> 00:29:23,822
Feo: OH, I SEE -- YEAH.
393
00:29:23,890 --> 00:29:25,323
Clarke: THE FEMALE
WILL GO AROUND
394
00:29:25,392 --> 00:29:26,559
TO SEVERAL MALES' TERRITORIES,
395
00:29:26,626 --> 00:29:28,094
AND THE MALE
IS DOING THIS DISPLAY
396
00:29:28,163 --> 00:29:29,262
IN AN EFFORT TO IMPRESS HER,
397
00:29:29,330 --> 00:29:31,198
TO TRY AND CONVINCE A FEMALE
TO MATE WITH HIM,
398
00:29:31,266 --> 00:29:33,034
RATHER THAN WITH
THAT OTHER GUY OVER THERE.
399
00:29:33,102 --> 00:29:34,502
Abraham: THE MALE'S DIVE
400
00:29:34,571 --> 00:29:37,272
IS HIS WAY OF FLAUNTING
HIS PHYSICAL FITNESS,
401
00:29:37,340 --> 00:29:40,608
AND THAT UNUSUAL CHIRP
IS A KIND OF SERENADE
402
00:29:40,677 --> 00:29:42,244
TO HELP WIN HER OVER.
403
00:29:42,313 --> 00:29:46,449
BUT CHRIS IS CURIOUS TO KNOW
HOW THE MALE MAKES THAT NOISE.
404
00:29:46,518 --> 00:29:48,219
Clarke: THE SOUND SOUNDS VOCAL.
405
00:29:48,287 --> 00:29:50,388
PEOPLE THINK THAT
IT'S MADE VOCALLY,
406
00:29:50,456 --> 00:29:52,057
JUST LIKE THEIR SONG IS VOCAL.
407
00:29:52,126 --> 00:29:54,627
BUT THERE'S ALSO A GROUP OF
PEOPLE OUT THERE
408
00:29:54,696 --> 00:29:57,330
THAT THINK THAT IT MAY BE
THE TAIL THAT MAKES THE SOUND.
409
00:29:57,397 --> 00:29:59,332
BUT NOBODY HAS TESTED
THIS IDEA BEFORE.
410
00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:03,204
Abraham: CHRIS AND TERESA WILL
USE A HIGH-SPEED VIDEO CAMERA
411
00:30:03,272 --> 00:30:07,642
TO RECORD THE DIVES AT
500 FRAMES PER SECOND.
412
00:30:07,711 --> 00:30:11,480
A SENSITIVE MICROPHONE
WILL CAPTURE THE CHIRPS.
413
00:30:11,550 --> 00:30:12,983
THE REAL TRICK
414
00:30:13,051 --> 00:30:14,618
WILL BE GETTING THE MALE TO DIVE
415
00:30:14,685 --> 00:30:16,453
RIGHT IN FRONT OF
CHRIS'S CAMERA.
416
00:30:16,521 --> 00:30:19,023
Clarke: IT IS QUITE A CHALLENGE
TO FILM THESE GUYS.
417
00:30:19,092 --> 00:30:20,592
WHEN THEY'RE DIVING, THEY GO --
418
00:30:20,660 --> 00:30:22,361
WE THINK AT ABOUT
60 MILES AN HOUR OR SO,
419
00:30:22,429 --> 00:30:24,798
AND, OF COURSE, THIS IS A LITTLE
BIRD THAT'S ABOUT THIS BIG,
420
00:30:24,866 --> 00:30:27,500
WHIZZING BY AT THE SPEED OF
FREEWAY TRAFFIC.
421
00:30:27,569 --> 00:30:31,972
Abraham: CHRIS KNOWS THAT MALES
TEND TO DIVE TOWARD THE SUN,
422
00:30:32,041 --> 00:30:34,376
TO SHOW OFF THEIR RED MARKINGS
TO BEST ADVANTAGE,
423
00:30:34,443 --> 00:30:36,378
AND THAT HELPS HIM
POSITION THE CAMERA.
424
00:30:36,446 --> 00:30:39,215
HE'LL BE COMING FROM OVER HERE,
SO RIGHT HERE
425
00:30:39,284 --> 00:30:40,851
WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE
FOR THE CAMERA.
426
00:30:40,919 --> 00:30:43,953
Abraham: TO PROVOKE THE MALE
INTO PUTTING ON A DISPLAY,
427
00:30:44,022 --> 00:30:47,724
THEY PLACE A FEMALE INSIDE
A MESH ENCLOSURE.
428
00:30:47,794 --> 00:30:49,227
AND AS ADDED INSURANCE,
429
00:30:49,296 --> 00:30:51,430
ANOTHER FEMALE --
A STUFFED ONE --
430
00:30:51,498 --> 00:30:52,932
IS MOUNTED ON A POLE.
431
00:30:53,001 --> 00:30:56,103
Clarke: THIS IS A FEMALE THAT WE
GOT FROM A WILDLIFE HOSPITAL.
432
00:30:56,172 --> 00:30:58,273
SHE DIDN'T SURVIVE
AFTER BEING ADMITTED.
433
00:30:58,340 --> 00:31:02,342
Abraham: WITH THEIR GEAR
IN PLACE AND READY TO ROLL,
434
00:31:02,412 --> 00:31:05,681
THERE'S NOTHING TO DO
BUT WAIT FOR THE SHOW TO START.
435
00:31:05,749 --> 00:31:08,018
AND IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG.
436
00:31:08,085 --> 00:31:09,953
HE'S GOING UP
FOR A DIVE!
437
00:31:10,022 --> 00:31:11,823
THE MALE BEGINS
HIS DISPLAY
438
00:31:11,890 --> 00:31:14,525
BY FLYING STRAIGHT UP
ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET
439
00:31:14,593 --> 00:31:16,760
AND HOVERING
TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.
440
00:31:16,830 --> 00:31:19,932
THEN HE PLUNGES TOWARD
THE GROUND
441
00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,802
IN A DEATH-DEFYING DIVE.
442
00:31:22,871 --> 00:31:25,672
Clarke: DESCENDING!
[ SQUEAK ]
443
00:31:25,740 --> 00:31:27,107
DIVE ONE...
HE'S GOING UP.
444
00:31:27,176 --> 00:31:29,444
[ SQUEAK ]
THAT WAS DIVE 2.
445
00:31:29,512 --> 00:31:30,679
GOING UP.
446
00:31:30,747 --> 00:31:32,180
[ SQUEAK ]
DIVE 3.
447
00:31:32,248 --> 00:31:33,514
THAT WAS DIVE 3.
448
00:31:33,583 --> 00:31:36,819
Clarke:
ESTIMATES I HAVE FROM VIDEOS
449
00:31:36,888 --> 00:31:38,722
ARE THAT THE G-FORCES
ARE ABOUT 10 G's...
450
00:31:38,789 --> 00:31:41,291
[ SQUEAK ]
DIVE 7!
451
00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:43,294
WHICH IS ABOUT THE SAME AS WHAT
A PILOT BLACKS OUT UNDER
452
00:31:43,363 --> 00:31:45,264
IN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT.
[ SQUEAK ]
453
00:31:45,332 --> 00:31:47,233
DIVE 14.
DIVE 14.
454
00:31:47,301 --> 00:31:48,600
Clarke: IT'S PHENOMENAL THAT
THIS IS JUST
455
00:31:48,668 --> 00:31:50,135
A ROUTINE PART OF
THEIR DISPLAYS THAT THEY DO.
456
00:31:50,204 --> 00:31:52,739
DESCENDING -- DIVE 16.
[ SQUEAK ]
457
00:31:52,806 --> 00:31:55,909
OKAY, HE'S BACK ON HIS PERCH.
458
00:31:58,381 --> 00:31:59,814
YEAH, CHECK THIS OUT!
459
00:31:59,883 --> 00:32:01,583
Abraham:
NOW THAT THEY'VE RECORDED
460
00:32:01,651 --> 00:32:04,719
MORE THAN A DOZEN DIVES,
THEY CAN TAKE A CLOSER LOOK --
461
00:32:04,788 --> 00:32:06,022
IN SLOW MOTION.
462
00:32:06,090 --> 00:32:08,124
SO RIGHT NOW YOU CAN SEE HE'S
JUST OFF-SCREEN UP HERE,
463
00:32:08,193 --> 00:32:11,461
BUT HE'S GOING TO APPEAR
AND HE'S GOING TO COME DOWN.
464
00:32:11,530 --> 00:32:13,298
SEE THAT?
HE SPREADS HIS TAIL!
465
00:32:13,366 --> 00:32:14,732
YEAH, THAT'S
REALLY COOL!
466
00:32:14,801 --> 00:32:17,403
AND HE HAS HIS TAIL SPREAD FOR
THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME
467
00:32:17,471 --> 00:32:19,239
AS IT TAKES HIM
TO MAKE THE SOUND.
468
00:32:19,307 --> 00:32:21,473
[ DISTORTED SQUEAK ]
469
00:32:21,542 --> 00:32:23,743
Abraham: THE MALE IS SPREADING
HIS TAIL FEATHERS
470
00:32:23,812 --> 00:32:29,550
RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DIVE.
471
00:32:29,619 --> 00:32:32,354
THE ACTION LASTS JUST
60 MILLISECONDS,
472
00:32:32,423 --> 00:32:35,825
BUT IT COINCIDES PRECISELY
WITH THE MALE'S CHIRP.
473
00:32:35,894 --> 00:32:37,693
WOW, THAT'S
REALLY COOL.
474
00:32:37,762 --> 00:32:39,530
Abraham:
IS IT JUST A COINCIDENCE,
475
00:32:39,597 --> 00:32:41,999
OR ARE THE FEATHERS
ACTUALLY PRODUCING THE SOUND?
476
00:32:42,068 --> 00:32:43,902
[ SQUEAK ]
477
00:32:43,970 --> 00:32:45,703
CHRIS HAS DEVISED A SIMPLE
478
00:32:45,772 --> 00:32:48,374
BUT INGENIOUS WAY
TO TEST THE THEORY.
479
00:32:48,443 --> 00:32:51,211
Clarke: WE HAVE TUBES THAT HAVE
AIR COMING THROUGH THEM,
480
00:32:51,280 --> 00:32:53,147
FROM AN AIR SOURCE.
481
00:32:53,214 --> 00:32:54,448
WHEN WE PUT THE FEATHER HERE,
482
00:32:54,516 --> 00:32:56,751
WE PUT IT IN A JET OF AIR THAT'S
MOVING 60 MILES AN HOUR.
483
00:32:56,819 --> 00:32:59,520
[ WHISTLING ]
484
00:32:59,589 --> 00:33:03,525
Abraham:
THE FEATHER MAKES A SOUND,
485
00:33:03,594 --> 00:33:05,963
VIBRATING LIKE
A REED IN A CLARINET.
486
00:33:06,031 --> 00:33:10,033
IT'S A DEAD MATCH FOR
THE MALE ANNA'S CHIRP.
487
00:33:10,102 --> 00:33:13,004
[ SQUEAK ]
YEAH, RIGHT THERE.
488
00:33:13,073 --> 00:33:15,607
THE EXPERIMENT PROVES THAT
THE TAIL FEATHERS
489
00:33:15,676 --> 00:33:17,910
ARE MAKING THE SOUND.
490
00:33:17,979 --> 00:33:19,412
SOMEHOW THE MALE IS ABLE TO DIVE
491
00:33:19,481 --> 00:33:21,148
AT JUST THE RIGHT
ANGLE AND SPEED,
492
00:33:21,216 --> 00:33:24,784
SO HIS TAIL FEATHERS PRODUCE
THE PRECISE FREQUENCY
493
00:33:24,854 --> 00:33:28,690
THAT THE FEMALE IS LOOKING FOR.
494
00:33:28,758 --> 00:33:30,960
BY SHOWING OFF HIS FLYING SKILL
495
00:33:31,028 --> 00:33:35,365
HE LETS HER KNOW THAT HE'S
A GOOD CHOICE FOR A MATE.
496
00:33:35,434 --> 00:33:38,269
[ SQUEAK ]
497
00:33:51,887 --> 00:33:57,624
MALE HUMMINGBIRDS USE ANOTHER
LURE TO ATTRACT A FEMALE --
498
00:33:57,693 --> 00:34:00,629
IRIDESCENT FEATHERS.
499
00:34:00,697 --> 00:34:03,900
LOOK AT THEM ONE WAY,
AND THEY'RE DULL --
500
00:34:03,968 --> 00:34:06,603
BLACK OR BROWN.
501
00:34:06,672 --> 00:34:10,375
BUT WHEN THE LIGHT HITS THEM
JUST RIGHT,
502
00:34:10,444 --> 00:34:13,278
THOSE FEATHERS SHIMMER.
503
00:34:19,422 --> 00:34:21,589
AS USUAL IN THE BIRD WORLD,
504
00:34:21,657 --> 00:34:26,227
IT'S THE MALES
THAT REALLY SHINE.
505
00:34:26,297 --> 00:34:30,666
THEIR NAMES OFTEN REFLECT
THEIR FLASHIEST ATTRIBUTE --
506
00:34:30,734 --> 00:34:33,570
"PURPLE-THROATED"...
507
00:34:33,638 --> 00:34:35,973
"RUBY-THROATED"...
508
00:34:36,042 --> 00:34:39,678
"FIRECROWNED"...
509
00:34:39,746 --> 00:34:43,649
SURPRISINGLY,
A HUMMINGBIRD'S COLORS
510
00:34:43,718 --> 00:34:46,852
ARE NOT THE RESULT OF PIGMENTS.
511
00:34:46,921 --> 00:34:51,792
INSTEAD, THEY'RE CREATED BY
SPECIAL CELLS IN THE FEATHERS
512
00:34:51,860 --> 00:34:56,965
THAT BREAK DOWN LIGHT
AND EMIT PARTICULAR WAVELENGTHS.
513
00:34:57,034 --> 00:35:02,105
THOSE COLORS ENSURE THAT WHEN
THE MALE HUMMER TURNS HIS HEAD,
514
00:35:02,173 --> 00:35:07,677
IT'S THE BEST WAY
TO CATCH HER EYE.
515
00:35:07,747 --> 00:35:13,685
WHATEVER TRICK HE USES
TO MAKE HIMSELF ATTRACTIVE,
516
00:35:13,755 --> 00:35:15,789
IF A MALE IS PERSUASIVE ENOUGH,
517
00:35:15,857 --> 00:35:18,625
A FEMALE MIGHT DECIDE TO
MATE WITH HIM.
518
00:35:18,693 --> 00:35:22,530
BUT THE RELATIONSHIP WON'T LAST.
519
00:35:22,599 --> 00:35:26,635
SHE'LL MAKE HER HOME
AND RAISE HER YOUNG ALONE.
520
00:35:31,844 --> 00:35:34,345
FEMALE HUMMINGBIRDS
BUILD THEIR NESTS
521
00:35:34,413 --> 00:35:37,449
WITH SOFT BITS OF LEAVES,
FEATHERS, OR LICHEN,
522
00:35:37,518 --> 00:35:40,019
OFTEN PASTED TOGETHER WITH
SPIDER WEBS,
523
00:35:40,086 --> 00:35:42,288
TO MAKE THEM
STRONG AND STRETCHY.
524
00:35:45,694 --> 00:35:47,295
NESTS VARY ENORMOUSLY,
525
00:35:47,364 --> 00:35:51,098
DEPENDING ON THE SPECIES
AND THE MATERIALS AVAILABLE.
526
00:35:55,173 --> 00:35:57,740
IN THE DENSE LOWLAND FORESTS
OF ECUADOR,
527
00:35:57,809 --> 00:36:02,146
THE BUFF-TAILED SICKLEBILL
BUILDS HERS OVER A STREAM
528
00:36:02,215 --> 00:36:03,649
FOR DEFENSE AGAINST PREDATORS.
529
00:36:03,716 --> 00:36:07,485
AND SHE ATTACHES IT TO
THE UNDERSIDE OF A LEAF
530
00:36:07,554 --> 00:36:11,323
TO PROVIDE SHADE.
531
00:36:11,393 --> 00:36:16,963
THE BRONZY INCA LIVES ON
THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE ANDES.
532
00:36:20,203 --> 00:36:25,039
SHE USES LONG STRANDS OF MOSS
TO BIND HER NEST TO A BRANCH.
533
00:36:31,585 --> 00:36:36,354
A FEMALE USUALLY LAYS
TWO TINY EGGS.
534
00:36:36,423 --> 00:36:40,992
THE CHICKS EMERGE
IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
535
00:36:46,336 --> 00:36:48,270
[ CHIRPING ]
536
00:36:58,684 --> 00:37:00,118
THEY GROW FAST,
537
00:37:00,185 --> 00:37:03,488
ON A STEADY DIET OF
REGURGITATED NECTAR AND INSECTS.
538
00:37:06,394 --> 00:37:09,328
SOON, THEY'RE BIGGER THAN
THEIR MOTHER.
539
00:37:09,397 --> 00:37:11,732
AND THEY'LL KEEP ON GROWING
540
00:37:11,799 --> 00:37:15,369
UNTIL THEY'VE NEARLY
OUTGROWN THE NEST.
541
00:37:26,618 --> 00:37:28,319
EVEN AFTER THEY FLEDGE,
542
00:37:28,387 --> 00:37:31,088
THE CHICKS WILL STILL RELY ON
THEIR MOTHER FOR A WHILE.
543
00:37:34,261 --> 00:37:37,330
ONCE THEY'RE FINALLY
FENDING FOR THEMSELVES,
544
00:37:37,399 --> 00:37:39,900
THEY'LL LOSE THOSE
FLUFFY FEATHERS
545
00:37:39,968 --> 00:37:43,470
AND BURN OFF THEIR BABY FAT.
546
00:37:51,882 --> 00:37:55,251
IN THE CHIRACAHUA MOUNTAINS
OF SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA,
547
00:37:55,321 --> 00:37:58,955
SOME HUMMINGBIRD MOMS HAVE
COME UP WITH A UNIQUE STRATEGY
548
00:37:59,024 --> 00:38:00,525
FOR SUCCESSFUL NESTING.
549
00:38:03,464 --> 00:38:07,300
BIOLOGIST HAROLD GREENEY
IS AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT.
550
00:38:07,369 --> 00:38:10,604
Greeney: SO WE JUST HAVE THIS
SMALL DETOUR RIGHT HERE.
551
00:38:10,673 --> 00:38:13,140
Abraham: HE HAS A TALENT
FOR FINDING NESTS.
552
00:38:13,209 --> 00:38:16,611
Greeney: AND IT'S RIGHT IN THERE
ON THAT SECOND BRANCH.
553
00:38:16,680 --> 00:38:18,280
SEE IT BACK THERE?
554
00:38:18,349 --> 00:38:20,616
Abraham: THE FEMALE
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
555
00:38:20,685 --> 00:38:22,353
BUILDS HER WALNUT-SIZED NEST
556
00:38:22,420 --> 00:38:25,121
ON A HIGH TREE LIMB.
557
00:38:25,190 --> 00:38:28,159
WE'LL CHECK IT OUT HERE.
558
00:38:30,897 --> 00:38:34,166
Abraham: EVEN WAY UP HERE,
559
00:38:34,235 --> 00:38:35,736
HUMMINGBIRD NESTS
ARE VULNERABLE --
560
00:38:35,803 --> 00:38:36,903
OH, YES,
STILL GOT EGGS.
561
00:38:36,972 --> 00:38:40,274
SUBJECT TO ATTACK
BY A HOST OF MARAUDERS.
562
00:38:40,343 --> 00:38:41,677
HUMMINGBIRD EGGS
ARE SO SMALL,
563
00:38:41,745 --> 00:38:43,011
THEY'RE LIKE
LITTLE TIC TACS,
564
00:38:43,079 --> 00:38:44,746
THAT JUST ABOUT ANYBODY
THAT FINDS THEM
565
00:38:44,814 --> 00:38:45,881
I THINK
WOULD EAT THEM.
566
00:38:45,948 --> 00:38:48,617
GREENEY AND HIS TEAM
567
00:38:48,686 --> 00:38:51,454
SPEND A LOT OF TIME MONITORING
NESTS AND THEIR CONTENTS.
568
00:38:51,523 --> 00:38:54,892
Greeney:
I THINK THIS IS HATCHED TODAY.
569
00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:57,629
Abraham:
IT TAKES A VERY SENSITIVE SCALE
570
00:38:57,698 --> 00:38:59,866
TO WEIGH A BABY HUMMINGBIRD.
571
00:38:59,933 --> 00:39:04,703
Greeney: SO, 0.401 GRAMS.
572
00:39:04,773 --> 00:39:08,575
Abraham: THAT'S ABOUT THE WEIGHT
OF A POST-IT NOTE.
573
00:39:08,644 --> 00:39:12,781
THERE WE GO,
BACK SAFE AND SOUND.
574
00:39:12,849 --> 00:39:17,752
GREENEY RECENTLY DISCOVERED
SOMETHING ASTONISHING
575
00:39:17,822 --> 00:39:20,056
ABOUT THESE BLACK-CHINNED NESTS.
576
00:39:20,124 --> 00:39:23,794
IT APPEARS THEIR LOCATIONS
ARE ANYTHING BUT RANDOM.
577
00:39:23,862 --> 00:39:27,331
Greeney: WE WERE JUST OUT
TO SEE WHAT WE COULD SEE
578
00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:29,167
AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT THEIR NESTING,
579
00:39:29,236 --> 00:39:30,870
WHEN WE NOTICED THAT
THIS SPECIES OF HUMMINGBIRD
580
00:39:30,938 --> 00:39:32,871
OFTEN HAVE ALL THEIR NESTS
581
00:39:32,940 --> 00:39:35,608
CLUSTERED IN
ONE PARTICULAR AREA.
582
00:39:35,677 --> 00:39:38,345
Abraham: IT TURNS OUT THAT
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
583
00:39:38,414 --> 00:39:40,582
OF EACH CLUSTER
OF HUMMINGBIRD NESTS
584
00:39:40,650 --> 00:39:43,485
IS THE NEST OF
ANOTHER KIND OF BIRD --
585
00:39:43,554 --> 00:39:46,589
A COOPER'S HAWK.
586
00:39:49,694 --> 00:39:51,929
COME ON
OVER HERE.
587
00:39:51,997 --> 00:39:55,567
THE COOPER'S HAWK JUST LANDED
RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEST,
588
00:39:55,635 --> 00:39:57,470
AND HE'S OUT ON THE BRANCH.
589
00:39:57,537 --> 00:40:00,072
Abraham: UNLIKE HUMMINGBIRDS,
COOPER'S HAWKS EAT MEAT --
590
00:40:00,140 --> 00:40:01,575
INCLUDING SQUIRRELS
591
00:40:01,642 --> 00:40:05,110
AND MANY KINDS OF BIRDS.
592
00:40:05,180 --> 00:40:09,049
IN FACT, BIRDS ARE
A COOPER'S HAWK SPECIALTY.
593
00:40:09,118 --> 00:40:13,822
THE HAWKS CAN FLY WITH GREAT
AGILITY THROUGH A THICK FOREST
594
00:40:13,891 --> 00:40:16,493
TO CATCH THEM ON THE WING.
595
00:40:16,561 --> 00:40:20,597
STRANGELY, THE COOPER'S HAWK'S
SKILLS AS A KILLER
596
00:40:20,665 --> 00:40:24,802
MAY BE EXACTLY WHY
THE HUMMERS LIKE TO STAY CLOSE.
597
00:40:35,317 --> 00:40:37,317
THE HAWKS' FAVORITE FOODS
598
00:40:37,386 --> 00:40:41,623
ARE ALL ANIMALS THAT PREY ON
HUMMINGBIRD NESTS.
599
00:40:41,691 --> 00:40:47,496
BUT THE HUMMINGBIRDS THEMSELVES
ARE TOO SMALL
600
00:40:47,566 --> 00:40:50,401
AND FAST FOR THESE
BIG RAPTORS TO BOTHER WITH.
601
00:40:53,840 --> 00:40:57,142
SOMEHOW, THE BLACK-CHINS
HAVE FIGURED OUT
602
00:40:57,210 --> 00:40:59,946
THAT HAWKS MAKE
GOOD NEIGHBORS --
603
00:41:00,015 --> 00:41:04,418
AND THAT SURVIVAL STRATEGY
REALLY PAYS OFF.
604
00:41:07,490 --> 00:41:09,323
SCIENTISTS LIKE HAROLD GREENEY
605
00:41:09,391 --> 00:41:12,527
AREN'T THE ONLY ONES KEEPING
A CLOSE EYE ON HUMMINGBIRDS,
606
00:41:12,596 --> 00:41:15,330
OR MAKING SURPRISING NEW
DISCOVERIES ABOUT THEM.
607
00:41:18,503 --> 00:41:21,673
IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
A TEAM OF DETECTIVES
608
00:41:21,741 --> 00:41:25,610
IS SETTING UP A STAKEOUT.
609
00:41:25,679 --> 00:41:28,513
THEY'RE LOOKING FOR
A TINY CRITTER
610
00:41:28,583 --> 00:41:33,787
THAT'S NOT NATIVE
TO THESE PARTS.
611
00:41:33,856 --> 00:41:39,194
ONCE THEIR TRAP IS SET, THEY
ONLY HAVE TO WATCH AND WAIT.
612
00:41:44,335 --> 00:41:46,203
Woman: WE GOT ONE!
613
00:41:46,270 --> 00:41:48,772
[ CHUCKLING ]
614
00:41:48,841 --> 00:41:51,576
Abraham: HEADING UP THE TEAM
IS NANCY NEWFIELD.
615
00:41:51,645 --> 00:41:55,280
SHE'S A LICENSED
HUMMINGBIRD BANDER.
616
00:41:55,349 --> 00:41:59,752
NANCY IS PART OF A NETWORK OF
BANDERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA,
617
00:41:59,821 --> 00:42:02,489
KEEPING TABS ON
THE BIRDS' MOVEMENTS.
618
00:42:02,557 --> 00:42:04,659
THIS IS
A RUBY-THROAT.
619
00:42:04,728 --> 00:42:06,996
THE LITTLE RUBY-THROAT
WILL BE HELD CAPTIVE
620
00:42:07,063 --> 00:42:09,564
JUST LONG ENOUGH TO
GET A PHYSICAL...
621
00:42:09,634 --> 00:42:10,967
3.4 --
NICE WEIGHT.
622
00:42:11,036 --> 00:42:16,139
AND HAVE A TINY NUMBERED BAND
ATTACHED TO HER TINY LEG.
623
00:42:16,207 --> 00:42:19,076
NEXT TIME SHE'S SPOTTED,
THAT NUMBER,
624
00:42:19,145 --> 00:42:20,946
CHECKED AGAINST
A CENTRAL DATABASE,
625
00:42:21,015 --> 00:42:23,182
WILL PROVIDE CLUES TO
WHERE SHE'S TRAVELED.
626
00:42:23,250 --> 00:42:25,852
YOU READY TO GO,
SWEETHEART?
627
00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:29,522
Abraham: THE RUBY-THROAT HAS
A LONG TRIP AHEAD OF HER.
628
00:42:29,590 --> 00:42:30,991
THERE WE GO.
629
00:42:39,537 --> 00:42:41,371
Abraham: NEARLY ALL OF
THE HUMMINGBIRDS
630
00:42:41,439 --> 00:42:44,708
FOUND IN THE U.S. AND CANADA
ARE SEASONAL MIGRANTS --
631
00:42:44,777 --> 00:42:50,414
BREEDING AND NESTING UP NORTH,
BUT SPENDING THE WINTER
632
00:42:50,483 --> 00:42:54,086
IN THE TROPICS OF
CENTRAL AMERICA.
633
00:42:54,155 --> 00:42:59,859
TWICE A YEAR THEY MAKE A JOURNEY
THAT IS TRULY EPIC.
634
00:42:59,929 --> 00:43:01,696
GIVEN THEIR BODY LENGTH,
635
00:43:01,764 --> 00:43:05,466
HUMMINGBIRD MIGRATIONS ARE
THE LONGEST OF ANY BIRD.
636
00:43:05,535 --> 00:43:09,605
A RUFOUS MIGHT COVER UP TO
6,000 MILES ROUND TRIP,
637
00:43:09,674 --> 00:43:13,844
SHUTTLING BETWEEN ITS
WINTER HOME IN CENTRAL MEXICO
638
00:43:13,913 --> 00:43:16,214
AND THE NORTHERN END
OF ITS BREEDING RANGE
639
00:43:16,282 --> 00:43:18,382
IN SOUTHERN ALASKA.
640
00:43:18,450 --> 00:43:21,086
A RUBY-THROAT'S MIGRATION
BETWEEN PANAMA
641
00:43:21,154 --> 00:43:24,423
AND ITS SUMMER BREEDING GROUNDS
IN THE EASTERN U.S.
642
00:43:24,491 --> 00:43:26,793
IS NEARLY AS LONG.
643
00:43:26,862 --> 00:43:30,631
THAT JOURNEY INCLUDES
A MARATHON FLIGHT
644
00:43:30,700 --> 00:43:34,468
ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO.
645
00:43:34,537 --> 00:43:39,975
IT'S AN 18-HOUR ORDEAL
OVER 500 MILES OF OPEN WATER,
646
00:43:40,045 --> 00:43:43,413
WITH NO PLACE TO STOP,
AND NOWHERE TO FEED
647
00:43:43,482 --> 00:43:46,517
UNTIL THEY REACH LAND.
648
00:43:55,830 --> 00:43:57,530
BACK IN BATON ROUGE,
649
00:43:57,599 --> 00:44:00,769
NANCY NEWFIELD
IS MAKING HOUSE CALLS.
650
00:44:01,938 --> 00:44:04,406
I HEAR
A CUSTOMER.
651
00:44:04,475 --> 00:44:07,843
THIS IS
AN ADULT MALE RUFOUS.
652
00:44:07,912 --> 00:44:11,581
AND -- OH, HE'S A LOOKER.
653
00:44:11,650 --> 00:44:13,717
Abraham: SOME OF THE BIRDS
SHE CATCHES
654
00:44:13,787 --> 00:44:15,120
ARE ALREADY WEARING BANDS.
655
00:44:15,188 --> 00:44:17,890
Newfield: 358 --
SO THAT'S TWO YEARS AGO.
656
00:44:17,958 --> 00:44:19,959
Abraham:
AND A FEW WERE EVEN BANDED
657
00:44:20,028 --> 00:44:21,560
RIGHT HERE ON PREVIOUS TRIPS.
658
00:44:21,628 --> 00:44:24,097
I'VE HAD RUFOUS COME BACK
FOR EIGHT YEARS,
659
00:44:24,166 --> 00:44:28,269
RUBYTHROATS, BLACK-CHINS,
CALLIOPES FOR UP TO SIX.
660
00:44:28,337 --> 00:44:30,138
Abraham: BANDERS HAVE DISCOVERED
661
00:44:30,207 --> 00:44:33,075
THAT HUMMINGBIRDS CAN LIVE
AS LONG AS 12 YEARS --
662
00:44:33,143 --> 00:44:37,412
A RIPE OLD AGE
FOR SUCH A SMALL ANIMAL.
663
00:44:37,481 --> 00:44:40,117
LET HER SIT
IN YOUR HAND.
664
00:44:40,186 --> 00:44:43,521
AND THE BIRDS FOLLOW THE SAME
ROUTES YEAR AFTER YEAR,
665
00:44:43,589 --> 00:44:47,092
RETURNING TO THE VERY SAME
GARDENS AND BREEDING GROUNDS.
666
00:44:47,161 --> 00:44:51,031
[ BIRD CHIRPS,
NEWFIELD LAUGHS ]
667
00:44:51,099 --> 00:44:54,301
[ BIRD CHIRPING ]
668
00:44:54,369 --> 00:44:57,771
Newfield: THIS IS A BANDED BIRD,
A RETURNEE ADULT MALE RUFOUS.
669
00:44:57,841 --> 00:45:02,144
3.9, SO HE'S GETTING
A LITTLE PORKY.
670
00:45:02,213 --> 00:45:04,413
HE'S PUTTING ON WEIGHT,
GETTING READY TO LEAVE.
671
00:45:04,482 --> 00:45:07,218
Abraham: TO SURVIVE THE RIGORS
OF THEIR LONG MIGRATION --
672
00:45:07,286 --> 00:45:08,386
HE'S GOT A FAT OF TWO.
673
00:45:08,454 --> 00:45:10,187
HUMMERS GO ON
AN EATING BINGE,
674
00:45:10,255 --> 00:45:12,289
AND STORE THE EXTRA FOOD AS FAT.
675
00:45:12,358 --> 00:45:14,993
ZERO CORRUGATIONS.
676
00:45:15,062 --> 00:45:17,997
THEY MAY DOUBLE THEIR WEIGHT
BEFORE SETTING OUT,
677
00:45:18,066 --> 00:45:21,368
PUTTING ON THE EXTRA
TWO OR THREE GRAMS
678
00:45:21,436 --> 00:45:24,705
TO SUSTAIN THEM
ON THEIR JOURNEY.
679
00:45:30,413 --> 00:45:34,116
FOR THE MIGRANT HUMMERS,
THERE'S PLENTY TO EAT --
680
00:45:34,185 --> 00:45:36,652
AS MORE AND MORE GARDENERS
AND BACKYARD BIRDERS
681
00:45:36,721 --> 00:45:41,124
SET UP FEEDERS...
AND PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS,
682
00:45:41,194 --> 00:45:45,463
WHICH TEND TO BE
RICHER IN NECTAR.
683
00:45:45,532 --> 00:45:49,135
LATELY, THERE ARE
SOME SURPRISE GUESTS
684
00:45:49,204 --> 00:45:51,138
AT THIS BANQUET.
685
00:45:56,113 --> 00:46:00,415
BANDING DATA REVEAL THAT
MIGRATION PATTERNS ARE CHANGING.
686
00:46:00,483 --> 00:46:03,519
IN THE LAST FEW DECADES,
687
00:46:03,587 --> 00:46:05,789
MORE HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE BEEN
SHOWING UP
688
00:46:05,857 --> 00:46:08,192
ALONG THE EAST COAST
DURING THE WINTER --
689
00:46:08,261 --> 00:46:10,396
WHEN THEY'RE USUALLY FOUND
IN MEXICO.
690
00:46:16,537 --> 00:46:19,105
VAN REMSEN
IS A BIOLOGY PROFESSOR
691
00:46:19,174 --> 00:46:21,275
AT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY.
692
00:46:21,343 --> 00:46:23,477
Remsen: WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE,
693
00:46:23,546 --> 00:46:26,514
ANY HUMMINGBIRD IN BATON ROUGE
WAS A BIG DEAL.
694
00:46:26,583 --> 00:46:31,686
NOW, MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE
HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS OUT
695
00:46:31,755 --> 00:46:34,523
HAVE TWO, THREE, FIVE, TEN.
696
00:46:34,592 --> 00:46:38,595
IT'S A SPECTACULAR CHANGE
FROM JUST THE LATE '70s.
697
00:46:38,664 --> 00:46:42,700
Abraham: REMSEN BELIEVES THESE
HUMMINGBIRDS ARE FIRST MIGRATING
698
00:46:42,770 --> 00:46:44,338
TO THE TROPICS AS USUAL,
699
00:46:44,405 --> 00:46:47,440
AND THEN VEERING NORTH AGAIN
A FEW MONTHS LATER,
700
00:46:47,508 --> 00:46:49,609
TO THE GULF COAST.
701
00:46:49,678 --> 00:46:54,182
NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHY.
702
00:46:54,250 --> 00:46:56,918
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT
A GENETIC VARIATION
703
00:46:56,988 --> 00:47:01,623
ALTERED THE INTERNAL NAVIGATING
SYSTEM IN A FEW BIRDS,
704
00:47:01,692 --> 00:47:05,128
CAUSING THEM
TO CHANGE THEIR ROUTE.
705
00:47:13,774 --> 00:47:16,210
SINCE THE NEW MIGRATION PATTERN
IS REWARDED WITH FOOD,
706
00:47:16,278 --> 00:47:20,047
THE VARIATION IS PASSED ON
TO NEW GENERATIONS.
707
00:47:23,487 --> 00:47:25,988
Remsen:
BUILT INTO HUMMINGBIRD BIOLOGY
708
00:47:26,056 --> 00:47:28,424
IS THIS ABILITY TO
TRACK RESOURCES.
709
00:47:28,493 --> 00:47:30,327
THEY CAN ADAPT TO
NEW SITUATIONS.
710
00:47:30,396 --> 00:47:31,595
I MEAN, THEY HAVE ADDED
711
00:47:31,663 --> 00:47:33,563
THE GULF COAST
OF THE UNITED STATES
712
00:47:33,632 --> 00:47:35,199
TO THE WINTERING RANGE.
713
00:47:35,267 --> 00:47:38,802
AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT
JUST A FEW INDIVIDUALS --
714
00:47:38,871 --> 00:47:40,805
THERE ARE PROBABLY
HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS,
715
00:47:40,874 --> 00:47:43,343
MAYBE SEVERAL THOUSAND
HUMMINGBIRDS OF SEVERAL SPECIES
716
00:47:43,412 --> 00:47:45,779
THAT HAVE ADDED
THIS PIECE OF REAL ESTATE
717
00:47:45,847 --> 00:47:48,582
TO THEIR WINTER RANGE,
COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.
718
00:47:48,651 --> 00:47:51,852
VERY FLEXIBLE.
719
00:47:51,921 --> 00:47:56,824
Abraham: THAT FLEXIBILITY IS
A HUMMINGBIRD HALLMARK,
720
00:47:56,894 --> 00:48:00,130
AND A KEY TO THEIR SURVIVAL.
721
00:48:00,199 --> 00:48:04,035
BUT TODAY, MANY OF THE NEARLY
350 SPECIES OF HUMMINGBIRDS
722
00:48:04,104 --> 00:48:06,171
ARE THREATENED OR ENDANGERED,
723
00:48:06,238 --> 00:48:09,574
AS THEY LOSE THEIR HABITATS
AND FOOD SOURCES.
724
00:48:09,642 --> 00:48:13,812
LUCKILY, THEY ARE
FINDING CHAMPIONS --
725
00:48:13,882 --> 00:48:16,184
IN SURPRISING PLACES.
726
00:48:16,251 --> 00:48:22,655
A FEW YEARS AGO,
A GROUP OF EUROPEAN BIRDERS
727
00:48:22,725 --> 00:48:25,660
JOURNEYED TO THE HIGHLAND
FORESTS OF NORTHEASTERN PERU,
728
00:48:25,729 --> 00:48:30,100
HOPING FOR A GLIMPSE OF ONE OF
THE WORLD'S RAREST HUMMINGBIRDS.
729
00:48:30,168 --> 00:48:34,638
TO FIND IT, THEY ENLISTED
THE HELP OF A LOCAL FARMER
730
00:48:34,708 --> 00:48:36,809
NAMED SANTOS MONTENEGRO.
731
00:48:36,876 --> 00:48:40,312
[ MONTENEGRO SPEAKING SPANISH ]
732
00:48:46,455 --> 00:48:48,022
Abraham: GUIDED BY SANTOS,
733
00:48:48,091 --> 00:48:51,893
THE BIRDERS WERE ABLE TO WITNESS
SOMETHING SEEN BY FEW OUTSIDERS,
734
00:48:51,962 --> 00:48:56,031
AND ONLY RECENTLY FILMED
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
735
00:49:01,140 --> 00:49:04,742
THE BIRD IS
THE MARVELLOUS SPATULETAIL,
736
00:49:04,811 --> 00:49:08,781
AND IT IS TRULY A MARVEL.
737
00:49:10,817 --> 00:49:12,485
THE MALE USES HIS TWO
738
00:49:12,554 --> 00:49:15,822
SPECIALLY MODIFIED TAIL FEATHERS
IN AN EXTRAORDINARY DISPLAY.
739
00:49:20,764 --> 00:49:25,600
TO IMPRESS A FEMALE,
HE TWIRLS HIS FEATHERS,
740
00:49:25,670 --> 00:49:27,504
LIKE A COWBOY DOING ROPE TRICKS.
741
00:49:27,572 --> 00:49:33,743
[ CLICKING AND BUZZING ]
742
00:49:33,813 --> 00:49:37,983
NO ONE HAS FIGURED OUT
HOW HE MAKES THAT SOUND.
743
00:49:38,052 --> 00:49:43,722
THERE ARE FEWER THAN
A THOUSAND OF HIS KIND LEFT,
744
00:49:43,792 --> 00:49:46,927
AND MOST OF THEM ARE FOUND ON
THE EASTERN SLOPES
745
00:49:46,996 --> 00:49:49,631
OF A SINGLE RIVER VALLEY
IN PERU.
746
00:49:57,242 --> 00:49:59,310
SURVIVAL IN THIS REGION
747
00:49:59,378 --> 00:50:03,348
IS DIFFICULT FOR HUMMINGBIRDS,
AND FOR PEOPLE, TOO.
748
00:50:03,417 --> 00:50:06,018
THE VILLAGERS MAKE THEIR LIVING
749
00:50:06,087 --> 00:50:09,389
BY GROWING SUGAR CANE
ON THE HILLSIDES.
750
00:50:09,458 --> 00:50:11,192
AS FARMING ENCROACHES ON
751
00:50:11,260 --> 00:50:14,060
THE MARVELLOUS SPATULETAIL'S
HABITAT,
752
00:50:14,129 --> 00:50:18,333
THE BIRD IS FACING EXTINCTION.
753
00:50:18,401 --> 00:50:25,107
SANTOS MONTENEGRO HAS BECOME
THE MARVELLOUS SPATULETAIL'S
754
00:50:25,176 --> 00:50:28,679
AMBASSADOR --
AND ITS PROTECTOR.
755
00:50:28,748 --> 00:50:30,681
[ MONTENEGRO SPEAKING SPANISH ]
756
00:50:54,212 --> 00:50:57,047
Abraham: SANTOS HAS PERSUADED
MANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS
757
00:50:57,116 --> 00:51:00,386
THAT ECOTOURISM IS A MORE
REWARDING USE OF THEIR LAND
758
00:51:00,454 --> 00:51:04,490
THAN FARMING.
759
00:51:04,558 --> 00:51:06,959
THE SPATULETAIL RESERVE
WAS ESTABLISHED
760
00:51:07,028 --> 00:51:08,529
TO SAVE A SINGLE SPECIES,
761
00:51:08,597 --> 00:51:11,299
BUT IT WILL ALSO PROTECT
AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM.
762
00:51:11,367 --> 00:51:14,670
SUCH IS
THE HUMMINGBIRD'S POWER --
763
00:51:14,738 --> 00:51:18,807
AND ITS POWERFUL HOLD UPON US.
764
00:51:26,319 --> 00:51:29,086
WHEREVER HUMMINGBIRDS FLY...
765
00:51:29,155 --> 00:51:31,123
THERE HE GOES!
766
00:51:31,192 --> 00:51:33,092
PEOPLE FLOCK TO SEE THEM.
767
00:51:35,530 --> 00:51:39,733
AND IS IT ANY WONDER?
768
00:51:43,206 --> 00:51:47,976
THESE LITTLE BIRDS
HAVE CONQUERED THE AIR
769
00:51:48,046 --> 00:51:50,513
AND MASTERED
THE ART OF SURVIVAL.
770
00:51:55,488 --> 00:51:59,224
HUMMINGBIRDS ARE MORE THAN
JUST BEAUTIFUL --
771
00:51:59,292 --> 00:52:01,594
THEY ARE BRILLIANT.
772
00:52:02,000 --> 00:52:05,126
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