Hummingbirds have an extremely high metabolic rate during flight, but when they pause, their metabolic rate drops significantly to conserve energy. This reduction helps them recover from the energy expenditure of hovering or rapid flight.
Their heart rate, which can reach over 1,200 beats per minute during flight, slows considerably when they are resting. This decrease helps lower their overall energy consumption.
Hummingbirds have the ability to regulate their body temperature when they stop flying. They enter a state of torpor—a deep, hibernation-like sleep—to conserve energy, during which their body temperature can drop to match the ambient temperature.
Their respiratory rate slows down significantly when they are not flying. This reduced breathing rate aligns with the decreased metabolic demands and helps in energy conservation.
The intense muscle activity required for hovering and rapid flight relaxes when they pause. This relaxation helps in reducing muscle fatigue and allows their muscles to recover.
Blood flow in their bodies redistributes to ensure that essential organs receive adequate oxygen and nutrients while the bird is resting. This redistribution supports their recovery process.
When hummingbirds are at rest, they utilize stored fat reserves to maintain energy levels. They build up these reserves during feeding periods to sustain themselves during times of inactivity or rest.