Nearly 20 species of hummingbirds (there are about 300 total in the Americas) make their homes in Las Cruces and are already returning to the Southwest. The most popular breeds locally are black-chinned, broad-tailed, calliope and rufous. Most weigh less than an ounce. Their wings beat 50-200 times per second, with an average heart rate of 1,200 beats per minute. They take about 250 breaths per minute. It is believed that more than 150 plant species depend on hummingbirds for long-term survival.
