A while back someone asked me what the difference is between hummers and my little Israeli equivalent the Sunbird. Well, Hummers and Swifts are in the Order Apodiformes (Swifts in the Family Apodidae and Hummers in the Family Trochilidae). Sunbirds are in the Order Passeriformes, Family Nectariniidae.
So while the Hummers and Sunbirds both need nectar and both feed on insects, both hover to get to the nectar when necessary and both are quite small birds....they aren't even in the same Order of birds. All birds are in the same Kingdom, Phyllum and Class. It's in the Order that things start to branch out for the birds. :-)
Julie
Hummers and Sunbirds
very educational.. thanks for posting!