The Superlative Bird. Hummingbirds can beat their wings at 80 times per second and their hearts at over 1,200 times a minute. They have the fastest metabolism of any warm-blooded creature and drink half their weight in energy-rich nectar each day. Not content with these superlatives, they may also turn out to be among the most intelligent of all birds.
Mark Carwardine watches hummingbirds in Arizona where he finds that red lipstick is the secret to getting the best views. Producer Brett Westwood Rptd tomorrow 11am The heart of the matter: page 35