The Nation - News from Sept. 14, 1986
A hummingbird tagged by naturalists in 1976 turned up in Gothic, Colo., and scientists said it is at least 11 years old--more than double the life expectancy for the species. The National Geographic Society announced in Washington that the bird, a female Selasphorus platycercus , or broad-tailed hummingbird, is the oldest known hummingbird in North America. The tiny, nectar-sipping birds seldom live longer than five years. University of Arizona ecologist William A. Calder, whose work is sponsored by the society, said that age 11 for a hummingbird is equivalent to 39 years for a goose, and the oldest known Canada goose lived just 24 years.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
