They're quite incredible creatures, really. Did you know that every night they hibernate, and every day they need to eat every fifteen minutes? They can starve to death in a matter of hours. Their wings beat incredibly fast, they can hover, fly upside-down, backwards, heck, even hover upside-down and backwards. Their heartbeat is the highest of any creature when they hover. Their feathers aren't colored, they have thousands of minute air bubbles trapped in them, which refract and recombine the light, to make their feathers incredibly irredescent and beautiful. They also viciously defend their patch of flowers, if it is taken from them, they are effectively dead. I was thinking of making a Redwall hummingbird character, who would have razor sharp needles on his wingtips as his weapons. What do you think?
That would be pretty cool.
Neat idea.
I think a recall reading about a Redwall hummingbird somewhere, but I don't know. They are indeed very interesting creatures, and they come into my backyard often. I enjoy seeing their little wings buzzing around.
The smallest hummingbird is the Bee Hummingbird at only 5cm (also the smallest of any bird species and the smallest backboned-animal in the world).
The largest hummingbird is the Giant Hummingbird which is 22 centimeters (and has tail streamers up to 35 centimeters).
Hummingbird Facts & Information (http://howtoenjoyhummingbirds.com/)
During the spring, if you get a soda bottle, cut a few holes in it and tie it from a tree, then fill it with sugar water, you'll attract hummingbirds.
Or you could by a hummingbird feeder and the bottled sugar water...but that'll cost ya!
They'd have a LONG journey and need good noses to be attracted all the way to New Zealand by some suger water. ;) There aren't any hummingbirds here, except perhaps in zoo aviaries.
Aw, really? I couldn't imagine not seeing them every year. I love watching them. Our neighbors used to have a hummingbird feeder.
From what I remember, humming birds only live in America (North and South).
Yea, I guess they wouldn't make that trip then for a bottle of sugar water. :) New Zealand huh? I've hear it is quite beautiful over there!
I haven't seen any hummingbirds around here.
And(don't want to put you down) but the species of Redwall were those originative of the UK.
Quote from: WoodlandWarrior on May 13, 2013, 05:16:05 PM
New Zealand huh? I've hear it is quite beautiful over there!
No different to most other places - mountains, lakes, seas, beaches, forests, etc. The same as parts of Europe, America, and Asia. No point in people travelling thousands of miles to the bottom of the planet (paying greedy over-priced costs) just to see another one when they've already got them in your own backyard. :)
The scenery might be "beautiful", but the Government is run by morons, the public transport is hopeless, the prices are hideously expensive, the schooling and hospital systems are attrocious, ... as I said, pretty much the same as most other places. ;)
Quote from: Buzz_Bumble on May 13, 2013, 05:06:12 AM
From what I remember, humming birds only live in America (North and South).
In that case, it would be very unlikely that BJ would include them in his stories :( In an interview I saw, he was asked if he would sometime include Racoons in the Redwall series, he (BJ) said: "Nope. Sorry, but I only use characters native to my area"; that area is The United Kingdom. So it would be very unlikely to have them in his strories about Redwall. But that dosn't really matter here. Just saying :-\
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think), Monitors (Definitely), and I think a few others. And, I was talking more in a fanfic setting, it is extremely unlikely that BJ would have used them XP. It'd make sense if they came from Southsward.
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think).
Yep, it dwells in The United Kingdom also.
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
Monitors (Definitely).
Probubly because he needes some species that was...different from the normal villun.
They were on islands, thus foreign. So you could have hummingbirds that come from a faraway island.
They'd have to come by boat and have a lot of stored food since they have to eat so often ... their near-continuous feasting would even put the hares to shame. ;)
Quote from: Buzz_Bumble on May 14, 2013, 10:50:23 PM
They'd have to come by boat and have a lot of stored food since they have to eat so often ... their near-continuous feasting would even put the hares to shame. ;)
That would be really good to add.
Do something like a hare challenging a hummingbird to a food-eatinng contest.
Quote from: CrazyPug37 on May 15, 2013, 01:54:34 AM
Quote from: Buzz_Bumble on May 14, 2013, 10:50:23 PM
They'd have to come by boat and have a lot of stored food since they have to eat so often ... their near-continuous feasting would even put the hares to shame. ;)
That would be really good to add.
Do something like a hare challenging a hummingbird to a food-eatinng contest.
Not that would be intresting!
Unfortunately the smaller hummingbirds only tend to drink nectar from flowers rather than actually eat anything. :)
Yah, but they could drink more weight than hares could eat. :P. What sort of names do you think they'd have if they were in Redwall? I was thinking of Shredwing or Jadefeather or Needlebeak or Amethyst. Something like that XP.
Honeysucker
Nector
Hummer
Blurwing
Hoverwing
Speedy
They'd probably speak very fast and non-stop too. :)
"Are-we-there-yet, when-are-we-getting-there, how-far-is-it, will-we-be-there-long, what-are-we-doing-there, when-are-we-coming-back, ..."
Right, steampunk Redwall hummingbird character.
Name: Amethyst
Gender: Male
Age: 14
Species: Giant Hummingbird
Weapons: Needles on wingtips, and fastened to the end of every major wing feather. Helmet with spike protruding in front, similar to the one worn by General Ironbeak in the tv interpretation of Mattimeo.
Clothing: ummm..... Redwall birds usually don't have clothes, right?
Personality: Fast everything. Thinking, moving, talking. Tiny attention span, unless confronted with ales or cordials.
Physical description: Purple. Unlike most hummingbirds, he can only reflect one color well, and that is purple, hence his name. Missing small claw on right foot.
It seems like Amethyst's personality is what all other Hummingbirds would be like ;D
Quote from: Buzz_Bumble on May 15, 2013, 02:18:17 AM
Unfortunately the smaller hummingbirds only tend to drink nectar from flowers rather than actually eat anything. :)
Some do eat small bugs though.
Quote from Wikipedia: (Sorry, bad source, but I'm lazy ;D)
Hummingbirds drink nectar, a sweet liquid inside certain flowers. Like bees, they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat; they reject flower types that produce nectar that is less than 10% sugar and prefer those whose sugar content is higher. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders
All hummingbirds eat bugs. Nectar has like no protein.
Name: Nectarfeather
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Species: Swallow-Tailed Hummingbird (One of the largest types)
Weapons: Nectarfeather carries a short dagger, given to him by his father when he turned 14. (A coming-of-age custom common of Hummingbird boys and girls of the tribe.) His beak is covered with a long iron point with a golden end when he fights, which gives him the ability to dive on opponents without injuring his beak.
Clothing: He wears a light blue tunic and a matching blue beret with a hummingbird feather sticking out of the top.
Personality: Nectarfeather is very quiet and self-conscious of his actions. He is mature and respectful, and is often seen talking with the elders of Redwall, reading in the Gatehouse, eating, or hanging out with friends. He is well-respected by all in the community, being a great fighter and a nice guy.
Physical description: The top half of his body is purplish-blue, while the bottom is green. Muscular and fit with a scar running across his face, Nectorfeather is strong, mature, and has seen many more battles than most Hummingbirds his age.
NOTE: Currently resides with his father's tribe in Redwall Abbey, due to the fact that they have nowhere to reside, as they were driven out of their old home.
Quote from: CrazyPug37 on May 23, 2013, 12:11:25 AM
Name: Nectarfeather
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Species: Swallow-Tailed Hummingbird (One of the largest types)
Weapons: Nectarfeather carries a short dagger, given to him by his father when he turned 14. (A coming-of-age custom common of Hummingbird boys and girls of the tribe.) His beak is covered with a long iron point with a golden end when he fights, which gives him the ability to dive on opponents without injuring his beak.
Clothing: He wears a light blue tunic and a matching blue beret with a hummingbird feather sticking out of the top.
Personality: Nectarfeather is very quiet and self-conscious of his actions. He is mature and respectful, and is often seen talking with the elders of Redwall, reading in the Gatehouse, eating, or hanging out with friends. He is well-respected by all in the community, being a great fighter and a nice guy.
Physical description: The top half of his body is purplish-blue, while the bottom is green. Muscular and fit with a scar running across his face, Nectorfeather is strong, mature, and has seen many more battles than most Hummingbirds his age.
NOTE: Currently resides with his father's tribe in Redwall Abbey, due to the fact that they have nowhere to reside, as they were driven out of their old home.
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 15, 2013, 08:02:56 PM
Right, steampunk Redwall hummingbird character.
Name: Amethyst
Gender: Male
Age: 14
Species: Giant Hummingbird
Weapons: Needles on wingtips, and fastened to the end of every major wing feather. Helmet with spike protruding in front, similar to the one worn by General Ironbeak in the tv interpretation of Mattimeo.
Clothing: ummm..... Redwall birds usually don't have clothes, right?
Personality: Fast everything. Thinking, moving, talking. Tiny attention span, unless confronted with ales or cordials.
Physical description: Purple. Unlike most hummingbirds, he can only reflect one color well, and that is purple, hence his name. Missing small claw on right foot.
But which will win??
(Sorry I messed that up, by mistake posted. And I tryed to modifiy too.)
Could you imagine an army of hummingbirds?
"Bring in the Sky Ants!"
A hummingbird could fly straight down and stab a poor ferret through the stomach.
Quote from: Blaggut on August 22, 2013, 07:49:37 AM
A hummingbird could fly straight down and stab a poor ferret through the stomach.
Haha yeah!
Quote from: Ungatt Trunn on May 13, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think).
Yep, it dwells in The United Kingdom also.
No it doesn't! Unless some escaped from a zoo.
Hummingbirds are very interesting creatures, yes. :D
(Woops, stuck in quote mode and not sure how to get out! :p)
Quote from: MeadowRabbit on August 22, 2013, 02:33:07 PM
Quote from: Ungatt Trunn on May 13, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think).
Yep, it dwells in The United Kingdom also.
No it doesn't! Unless some escaped from a zoo.
Hummingbirds are very interesting creatures, yes. :D
(Woops, stuck in quote mode and not sure how to get out! :p)
Just type out of the quote links. (No sure that will help!!!)
You're in quote!
And they'd be a Cellarhog's nightmare. xD
A hummingbird is to drink as a hare is to food.
Ach, zat zoundz like trouble tae me!
Quote from: The Shade on August 22, 2013, 06:33:36 PM
Quote from: MeadowRabbit on August 22, 2013, 02:33:07 PM
Quote from: Ungatt Trunn on May 13, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think).
Yep, it dwells in The United Kingdom also.
No it doesn't! Unless some escaped from a zoo.
Hummingbirds are very interesting creatures, yes. :D
(Woops, stuck in quote mode and not sure how to get out! :p)
Just type out of the quote links. (No sure that will help!!!)
Hehe! I did, but it still didn't seem to work! :o
Quote from: MeadowRabbit on August 23, 2013, 03:39:14 PM
Quote from: The Shade on August 22, 2013, 06:33:36 PM
Quote from: MeadowRabbit on August 22, 2013, 02:33:07 PM
Quote from: Ungatt Trunn on May 13, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on May 13, 2013, 10:34:44 PM
There are exceptions for Wolverines (I think).
Yep, it dwells in The United Kingdom also.
No it doesn't! Unless some escaped from a zoo.
Hummingbirds are very interesting creatures, yes. :D
(Woops, stuck in quote mode and not sure how to get out! :p)
Just type out of the quote links. (No sure that will help!!!)
Hehe! I did, but it still didn't seem to work! :o
Try anozer end quote link zin'y!
EDIT TEZT: G'day mate!
EDIT: Vell, it vorkz! Juzt add anozer end quote zin'y!
AH!
Sigh... I haven't seen one in yeeeeaaaars. They're so cute, ah... :)
Ve 'ave an 'ummin'bird feeder zomevhere in me yard.
::)
Hummingbirds are cool. And colory.
Colorful? ;)
Quote from: HeadInAnotherGalaxy on August 24, 2013, 06:09:40 PM
Ve 'ave an 'ummin'bird feeder zomevhere in me yard.
Before we moved, we had two feeders, and they were so funny! We'd go out on the front and sit and
laugh!!!
Wish we got humming birds around here...
Where do you live anyway?? General area?
OOH! OOH! OOH! I'll guess!......Uh......
Quote from: Cornflower MM on November 18, 2013, 08:11:27 PM
Where do you live anyway?? General area?
I'll give you a hint... You ok? ;)
I know the country Shade lives in, Cornflower! Shall I tell you? ;D
Hmm....
Let's get back on topic, okay guys? Leave the member location guessing games for the Front Lawns. :)
Sorry..... :-\
HUMMY WUMMY!
Brrrrrrrummmmmm Brummmmmmmmmm.... Slurp slurp slurrrrrrp..... Brummmmmmmmmm..... Slurrrrrrp..... tweet tweet tweety tweet.... brummmm.... :D
Quote from: rusvulthesaber on November 23, 2013, 03:12:20 AM
Brrrrrrrummmmmm Brummmmmmmmmm.... Slurp slurp slurrrrrrp..... Brummmmmmmmmm..... Slurrrrrrp..... tweet tweet tweety tweet.... brummmm.... :D
See? ;D Now, back on topic...
What if a hummingbird and a hare got together in Redwall Abbey? :o :o
Shock Horror :o :o :o :o :o :o :o!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to see hummingbirds all the time when I was in California. It was a funny experience, watching them fly around, their tiny wings endlessly buzzing in midair.
@willruth: I would hate to be the cook at that feast.
I think a hummingbird in Redwall would be a great idea.
Quote from: 321tumbler on March 25, 2014, 12:52:38 PM
I think a hummingbird in Redwall would be a great idea.
I agree though the bird would sound alot like Mickey Mouse.
Yeah, he/she probably would......And I don't like Mickey Mouse.
one best thing to know about hummingbirds is that they can also fly backwards, and are the only group of birds able to do so. also, these hummingbirds are really nice birds since they can fly at speeds exceeding 15 m/s or 54 km/h.
Hummingbirds aren't native to Europe, though, so I imagine that, like all the other non-native animals in the series, they'd come from some exotic, far-away land.
That would be pretty awesome.
They're so fast and harmless I don't know if anything would really try to bother with them; besides, they migrate, so a hummingbird wouldn't be the most common of creatures.
Quote from: Ungatt Trunn on May 13, 2013, 10:27:02 PM
Quote from: Buzz_Bumble on May 13, 2013, 05:06:12 AM
From what I remember, humming birds only live in America (North and South).
In that case, it would be very unlikely that BJ would include them in his stories :( In an interview I saw, he was asked if he would sometime include Racoons in the Redwall series, he (BJ) said: "Nope. Sorry, but I only use characters native to my area"; that area is The United Kingdom. So it would be very unlikely to have them in his strories about Redwall. But that dosn't really matter here. Just saying :-\
Wolverines are in redwall and they live in Alaska and Canada.
Seems like even Brian wanted to vary it a little bit. Why not have a few 'exotic' animals coming over from distant lands, eh? :D
You know, I always imagined that if a hummingbird made its debut in the world of Redwall, it'd use its needle-like beak as a rapier of sorts. Considering they can hover and move in all directions, it could be pretty neat!
While I do think Hummingbirds would be quite interesting characters, I don't think they fit in with the rest of the species. From what I know, most of the creatures from Redwall usually live in forests or mountains or places like that, and I imagine hummingbirds are a lot more tropical creatures, and I don't think that fits as well with the universe.
Well, they're migratory. We get hummingbirds where I am during the summer, and the same species goes down to Mexico in the winter.
What I think would make them out of place would the way they act, such fast movements and constant search of food.
Quote from: The Skarzs on December 14, 2017, 11:15:51 PM
Well, they're migratory. We get hummingbirds where I am during the summer, and the same species goes down to Mexico in the winter.
What I think would make them out of place would the way they act, such fast movements and constant search of food.
When put that way, they sound quite a bit like the hares, though. :P Also, for the migratory thing, remember the geese from
Triss and the mention of the geese in
Mossflower? They were migratory.
Quote from: Rosie Willowwater on December 14, 2017, 08:20:13 PM
While I do think Hummingbirds would be quite interesting characters, I don't think they fit in with the rest of the species. From what I know, most of the creatures from Redwall usually live in forests or mountains or places like that, and I imagine hummingbirds are a lot more tropical creatures, and I don't think that fits as well with the universe.
Nah, I live quite near some mountains and it's extremely foresty and I see a lot of hummingbirds at the right time of the year.