Mark Cocker

A hymn to the hummingbird — one of the most astonishing organisms on Earth

How anything weighing the same as a 1p coin can make an annual two-way migration of 7,000 miles is nothing short of miraculous, says Jon Dunn

A male Costa’s Hummingbird. Credit: Alamy 
issue 19 June 2021

Along with coral reefs and their fish, tropical butterflies and birds of paradise, hummingbirds must be among the most beautiful organisms on Earth. Yet for anyone who has never seen one in the flesh, it is difficult to convey the psychological effects of a first encounter.

For beauty is only half the hummingbird story.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in