![Cooling Off](https://cdn.magzter.com/1462288563/1716301311/articles/Z5gA3dNu-1716983247317/COOLING-OFF.jpg)
When it's hot outside, humans reach for cold drinks, retreat to our living rooms, and crank the air conditioning. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, can't duck indoors. So should you worry about your favorite flying jewels when temperatures rise? We talked with John Shewey, author of The Hummingbird Handbook, to learn about how hummingbirds adapt to hot weather and how you can help them.
Tolerating the Heat
These tiny birds are better adapted to hot weather than you'd think.
After all, most members of the hummingbird family live in the tropics. John says heat exhaustion for a hummer is possible in theory, but they'll seek out shelter from heat, just like humans do.
"Given shade and moisture, hummingbirds can tolerate plenty of heat," says John. "In fact, some species, such as the Costa's hummingbird of the Southwest, are well adapted to heat." John also mentions that hummingbirds have areas of low feather density around their legs, eyes and the bases of their wings. These anatomical features allow them to shed any excessive warmth during flight.
Ways to Help
Denne historien er fra June/July 2024-utgaven av Birds & Blooms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June/July 2024-utgaven av Birds & Blooms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Rainbow of Colors](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/S_ljUYIWm1716984288403/RAINBOW-OF-COLORS.jpg)
Rainbow of Colors
Summer ts prime time for picturesque hummingbird sightings
![Climbing On Up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/HF4zHnUC21716983608654/CLIMBING-ON-UP.jpg)
Climbing On Up
Color your garden with these flowering vines
![Beauties of the Southwest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/vVQTu3xqX1716983495831/BEAUTIES-OF-THE-SOUTHWEST.jpg)
Beauties of the Southwest
Learn how and where to find North America’s showiest hummingbird
![Cooling Off](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/Z5gA3dNu-1716983247317/COOLING-OFF.jpg)
Cooling Off
Here’s how to help hummingbirds during extreme temperatures
![Ask the Experts](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/LJwAq92nP1716982973914/ASK-THE-EXPERTS.jpg)
Ask the Experts
Pros offer gardening advice and insightful info on birds
![flower power!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/yQXxSQH9z1716981248492/FLOWER-POWER.jpg)
flower power!
These extraordinary Photo Contest entries showcase the subtle and diverse beauty of backyard blooms
![SMALL BIRDS, BIG THRILLS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/EkvU3pcEU1716980554262/SMALL-BIRDS-BIG-THRILLS.jpg)
SMALL BIRDS, BIG THRILLS
Costa Rica is full of dazzling hummingbirds-here are eight to add to your international bird bucket list
![Backyard Berry Patch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1706629/CfJaURvsS1716980260225/BACKYARD-BERRY-PATCH.jpg)
Backyard Berry Patch
Follow this guide for growing a bumper crop of strawberries at home
![Clever Cowbirds](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1638678/orxyeHnes1711095197376/CLEVER-COWBIRDS.jpg)
Clever Cowbirds
Learn more about these birds that are infamous for letting others raise their young
![Ask the Experts](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13287/1638678/I3Z9DuWci1711094661075/ASK-THE-EXPERTS.jpg)
Ask the Experts
Pros offer spring plant care tips and tough IDs