We all know that birds are amazingly light creatures. The next time you pick up a penny, stop to hold it in the palm of your hand and feel the weight of it. A penny is often used as an example of how much (or how little!) a Ruby-throated Hummingbird weighs!
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior states that "Flight requires a body light enough to be lifted without excessive expenditure of energy yet strong enough to withstand the many stresses of aerial life."
It is fairly well known that birds have hollow bones, but here are just a couple other adaptations that keep birds' weight low:
- No bird gives birth to fully developed young
- Highly efficent digestive system
- Lack of heavy toothed jaw
SOURCE: The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior
So now it's Quiz Time! See if you can place these seven common backyard birds in order by weight from HEAVIEST to LIGHTEST.
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Use the Comment section to post your answers. Have fun! Answers will be posted in a couple days.
ANSWERS
Mourning Dove 4.0 oz.
Blue Jay 4.0 oz.
Northern Cardinal 2.0 oz.
Downy Woodpecker 1.5 oz.
White-breasted Nuthatch 0.7 oz.
American Goldfinch 0.5 oz.
Black capped Chickadee 0.4 oz.
For comparison, check out this post to see how much squirrels weigh.
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HummFdr - but you tried!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | August 13, 2010 at 08:33 AM
Well I did not get them all right. Thanks for sharing the information.
Posted by: Hummingbird Feeders | August 12, 2010 at 09:58 PM
Great job everyone and thanks for taking a shot at it!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | August 08, 2009 at 09:36 PM
I really don't know, so I am just going to guess!
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Cardinal
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Goldfinch
Black-capped Chickadee
Posted by: LNMP | August 04, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Here is my guess! I sat here trying to recall from memory how much it felt they weighed when I was banding last summer. We'll see how good my weight memory is. :P
Mourning Dove (heaviest)
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Goldfinch
Black-capped Chickadee (lightest and oh-so tiny)
Posted by: Lindsey D. | July 31, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Downy, Nutty, Goldfinch and Chick-a Dee. Great challenge! I had better have it right, or I am apt to be in trouble with the boss!
Posted by: Peg | July 31, 2009 at 07:17 PM