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Transcript: Sugar, Sugar
Text reads, “tvo kids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original”
A kid says, WEE!
(Giggling)
A bee flies over dandelions in a field.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators.”
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN
FROM ONE PLANT, TO ANOTHER.
POLLEN IS THE STUFF
THAT HELPS MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
A bee pollinates a pink flower.
Text reads, “‘Nator Navigator”
Leo continues, WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING,
SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY.
EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD TOO.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club”
Leo, a red and blue fish, swims at the bottom of a lake.
Leo says, WEE!
HELLO, POLLINHEADS!
DON'T MIND ME.
I'VE GOT A LITTLE EXTRA PEP
IN MY STEP TODAY
BECAUSE I'VE JUST TRIED
FLOWER NECTAR,
AND NECTAR, MY FRIENDS,
IS A POTENT FORM OF SUGAR.
NOT EXACTLY A FISH-FRIENDLY
FOOD, NOPE,
BUT TODAY'S CREATURE
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.
SO, I FIGURED I SHOULD SEE
WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, FOR SCIENCE.
A hummingbird hovers beside the red base of a bird feeder.
Text reads, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
Leo continues, I CAN SEE WHY IT MAKES
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
FLITTER.
THESE SUGAR-LOVIN' BIRDS
ARE THE TOP OF TODAY'S
'NATOR NAVIGATOR.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE IMPORTANT POLLINATORS
FOR OVER 30 PLANTS
ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.
WHEN THEY STICK THEIR BEAK
IN A FLOWER FOR NECTAR,
POLLEN CLINGS ALL OVER
THEIR HEAD.
THEN, WHEN VISITING A FLOWER
FROM THE SAME PLANT,
SOME OF THE POLLEN FALLS OFF.
AND WHEN IT DOES,
HUZZAH, POLLINATION!
THESE TINY BIRDIES CLOCK IN
AT ONLY 9 TO 10 CENTIMETRES,
WHICH IS ABOUT THE SIZE
OF A CRAYON.
AND THEY HAVE SUPER ROTATING
WINGS THAT ALMOST HUM.
THEY FLAP THOSE WINGS
AT 70 TIMES PER SECOND.
THEY LIVE IN EASTERN CANADA
AND THE UNITED STATES,
BUT EVERY WINTER, THEY MIGRATE
DOWN TO CENTRAL AMERICA.
A map of the western hemisphere shows an orange arrow pointing from eastern Canada to Central America.
Leo continues, IT'S A LONG JOURNEY!
TO SURVIVE THE TRIP,
THEY HAVE TO EAT ENOUGH SUGAR
TO GAIN 50 PERCENT
MORE BODY WEIGHT.
HOW CAN THEIR TEENY,
TINY BODIES
HANDLE ALL THAT SUGAR?
I ONLY HAD ONE SIP OF NECTAR
AND LOOK AT ME GO!
Leo spins underwater.
Leo continues, TODAY, THE POLLINHEADS ARE
MEETING UP WITH SCIENTISTS,
KEN AND ERICH, FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
AT THE KOFFLER SCIENTIFIC
RESERVE IN KING CITY.
An orange flag on a map of Ontario highlights King City and Koffler Scientific Reserve.
Leo says, CHLOE AND HOUSTEN ARE GOING
TO HELP CONDUCT RESEARCH
ON THE SUGAR-ADDICTED
HUMMINGBIRD.
OUR POLLINHEAD TEAM
IS ABOUT TO SEE
JUST HOW MUCH SUGAR
THIS LITTLE BIRD CAN TAKE.
(Upbeat jazz music)
Ken, Erich, Chloe, and Housten walk through a grassy path. Trees and bushes grow alongside the path.
Ken has short grey hair and wears a white plaid shirt and khaki shorts.
Text reads, Dr. Kenneth Welch, University of Toronto Biologist.
Ken says, THIS IS ONE OF OUR FEEDER
STATIONS.
Ken stands beside a wooden pole that has a hummingbird feeder hanging from it.
Ken continues, THESE FEEDER STATIONS ARE LIKE
SUGAR BUFFETS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.
WE FILL THEM WITH SUGAR WATER
AND PUT THEM AT VARIOUS PLACES
AROUND THE RESERVE
AND WE CAN TRACK
THE HUMMINGBIRDS
WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT.
Chloe says, AS MUCH AS I LOVE CANDY,
I REALLY COULDN'T IMAGINE
EATING ONLY SUGAR.
Ken says, THEY NEED A LITTLE BIT
OF PROTEIN, AND SOME VITAMINS,
BUT HUMMINGBIRDS
NEED VERY LITTLE,
AND THEY GET IT FROM EATING
A FEW BUGS, OR SOME POLLEN.
SO, MOST OF THE CALORIES
THAT THEY INGEST,
IT'S JUST SUGAR.
Erich wears a navy-blue button-down shirt over a green t-shirt. He wears a navy-blue cap and has a neatly trimmed brown beard.
Text reads, Erich Eberts. University of Toronto. Ph.D. Candidate in Biology.
Erich says, WHEN A HUMMINGBIRD'S
OUT AND ABOUT,
THEY CAN DRINK THE EQUIVALENT
OF ONE OF YOU GUYS
DRINKING A CAN OF COLA
A MINUTE.
Leo twirls. Housten is pictured on a monitor behind him.
Leo says, WOO! THAT'S A LOT OF COLA.
A hummingbird sits on a green ring as it drinks from a bird feeder.
Ken says, AND THESE GUYS NEED TO GET
READY TO MIGRATE SOUTH
FOR THE WINTER,
AND IT'S A LONG FLIGHT,
SO THEY REALLY NEED
TO PACK ON THE POUNDS.
AND EATING ALL THAT SUGAR
IS GREAT FOR DOING THAT.
Erich says, MOST OF THE BIRDS AROUND HERE
HAVE A LITTLE IDENTIFYING
MICROCHIP IN THEM,
SO THAT WHEN IT COMES
AND SITS ON THIS PERCH,
AND DRINKS FROM THE FEEDER,
IT CHECKS ITSELF IN.
Ken says, AND SO, WE CAN SEE
WHEN THEY COME BACK
AGAIN AND AGAIN,
HOW THEIR WEIGHT IS CHANGING
OVER TIME.
AND AS THEY GET READY
TO MIGRATE SOUTH,
WE CAN WATCH THEM PLUMP UP
TO DO IT.
Ken shows Chloe and Housten a cellphone.
Ken continues, ONE REALLY COOL THING
IS THAT WE HAVE IT SET UP
SO WE CAN WATCH THAT DATA
SHOW UP ON OUR PHONE.
Chloe says, THAT'S REALLY COOL.
Ken asks, YOU GUYS WANNA TRAP ONE?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
(Hummingbird wings humming)
The hummingbird flies away from the feeder.
Ken asks, YOU GUYS READY TO CATCH
SOME HUMMINGBIRDS?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
Ken, Housten, and Chloe stand beside a wire cage containing a hummingbird feeder.
Ken says, WELL, THIS IS HOW WE'RE GONNA
DO IT.
INSIDE IS A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER
AND THE BIRD HAS TO FLY IN
THROUGH THIS DOOR TO GET IT.
AND AT JUST THE RIGHT MOMENT...
(Door clanks)
Ken continues, WE DROP THE DOOR
AND CATCH THE BIRD.
YOU GONNA HELP ME?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
Ken stretches a piece of string from the cage door to beside a house. Ken, Housten, and Chloe sit behind a picnic table beside the house.
Ken says, ALL RIGHT,
LET'S GET IN POSITION.
AND NOW, WE WAIT.
Housten says, I HOPE WE GET LUCKY!
Ken says, ME TOO.
Chloe says, IT REALLY IS LIKE
FISHING FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.
(Wings humming, chirping)
A hummingbird hovers inside the cage. Ken releases the string. The cage door closes.
(Housten and Chloe gasp)
Ken says, WE GOT ONE. WOO-HOO!
Chloe says, WE GOT ONE!
Ken reaches through a black flap on the side of the cage and takes the hummingbird in his hand.
Ken says, AND THIS IS A JUVENILE
HUMMINGBIRD.
Housten says, YEAH.
(Chloe gasps)
Ken continues, THAT MEANS IT WAS JUST BORN
THIS SUMMER.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY HELLO?
Housten says, YES. HI!
(Giggles)
Ken asks, AND YOU?
Chloe says, YOU'RE SO CUTE! HI!
Ken says, AND I'M GONNA PUT IT
IN THIS CLOTH BAG
SO THAT WE CAN CAREFULLY
AND SAFELY
TAKE IT BACK TO THE CAMP.
Ken, Houston, and Chloe walk through a trail amidst tall dry grass.
Chloe says, HEY ERICH, WE GOT ONE!
Erich says, AWESOME! SO DID WE!
Ken says, EXCELLENT.
NOW THE RESEARCH CAN BEGIN.
CHLOE, I NEED YOU TO COME
WITH ME.
WE HAVE TO TAG THAT BIRD SO
THAT IT CAN CHECK ITSELF IN
THE NEXT TIME IT COMES
TO OUR FEEDER STATIONS.
Erich says, AND HOUSTEN,
YOU'LL COME WITH ME,
AND WE'RE GONNA GO DO
SOME RESPIROMETRY.
Leo watches everyone on the monitor.
Leo says, I'M SO GLAD TO SEE
THE POLLINHEADS
ARE BEING PUT TO GOOD USE!
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY,
JUST A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR
HELPS THE HUMMINGBIRDS
FLY ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
RIGHT?
Housten walks through a field with Erich.
Housten asks, WHERE DO THE HUMMINGBIRDS
GET THEIR SUGAR FIX
IF THEY'RE NOT BY THE FEEDER?
CAN THEY GO TO ANY PLANT?
Erich says, YES, THERE'S LOTS OF FLOWERS
AROUND THE RESERVE.
Images of a yellow flower and a purple flower are shown.
Eric continues, THIS IS BIRDSFOOT
TREFOIL,
AND THIS ONE'S
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE.
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THESE
FLOWERS
IS THAT THEY'RE NICE AND LONG,
AND TUBULAR,
AND EVOLVED SPECIFICALLY
FOR HUMMINGBIRDS
OVER OTHER POLLINATORS,
SO THAT THE FLOWERS ALWAYS
KNOW THAT THE HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE GONNA BE POLLINATING THEM,
AND THEN,
THE HUMMINGBIRDS KNOW THAT
THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE
SUGAR IN THESE GUYS.
Housten says, SO, IT'S LIKE A WIN-WIN.
I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS
IN NATURE.
Erich says, EXACTLY! THAT'S WHAT WE CALL
A MUTUALISM,
WHERE BOTH PARTIES
ARE BENEFITTING
FROM THAT INTERACTION.
Housten says, COOL!
Chloe sits at a table in a laboratory with Ken. Ken holds the hummingbird.
Chloe says, IT'S EVEN CUTER THAN
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
AND I ACTUALLY CANNOT BELIEVE
HOW LONG ITS BEAK IS.
Ken says, THAT LONG BILL
IS WHAT HELPS IT REACH DOWN
INTO THE END OF THOSE LONG,
TUBULAR FLOWERS,
TO ACCESS THE NECTAR
THAT INSECTS CAN'T REACH.
IN ADDITION, ITS TONGUE
HAS SPECIAL FLAPS
ON THE END OF IT.
An orange arrow points to the hummingbird’s small tongue
Chloe asks, FLAPPY TONGUE?
Ken says, YEAH.
THEY STICK THEIR TONGUE INTO
THE NECTAR
AND IT OPENS UP AND AS THEY
PULL THEIR TONGUE BACK OUT,
IT GRABS AND CARRIES
SOME OF THE NECTAR WITH IT.
Chloe says, WEIRD, BUT COOL.
Ken says, IT WORKS FOR
THE HUMMINGBIRD.
THEY HAVE LOTS OF OTHER
UNIQUE FEATURES.
THEIR WINGS ARE VERY FLEXIBLE,
SO THEY CAN BEAT THEM
BACK AND FORTH,
RATHER THAN UP AND DOWN.
AND THAT ALLOWS THEM
TO HOVER IN PLACE.
IN ADDITION,
THEY FLAP THEIR WINGS
60 TIMES EVERY SECOND.
Chloe says, 60 TIMES?
Ken says, THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEIR WINGS
SOUND LIKE THEY'RE HUMMING.
Chloe looks at the hummingbird and says, YOU HAVE VERY IMPRESSIVE
WINGS.
Ken says, WHY, THANK YOU.
(Ken and Chloe laugh and giggle)
Ken says, NOW THAT WE'VE CAUGHT HIM,
WE NEED TO TAG HIM
AND TAKE SOME MEASUREMENTS
THAT WILL HELP US
LEARN MORE ABOUT HIM.
WE'RE GOING TO SLIP HIM INSIDE
THIS LITTLE SHEATH
TO HOLD HIM STILL.
Chloe says, RIGHT, SO HE DOESN'T
FLAP AWAY.
Ken places the hummingbird on a small scale.
Ken says, OF COURSE. 2.68 GRAMS.
NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GET
A COUPLE OF MEASUREMENTS.
LET'S MEASURE ITS WINGS.
Ken holds a silver ruler up to the hummingbird.
Chloe says, UM, ABOUT 44 MILLIMETRES.
Ken says, THAT'S RIGHT.
NOW, WE'RE GONNA MEASURE
THE LENGTH OF ITS BILL
USING THESE CALIPERS: 18.2.
Chloe asks, WHAT'S NEXT?
Ken says, WE NEED TO STICK
A LITTLE METAL BAND
WITH A SPECIAL,
INDIVIDUAL NUMBER
ON THE BIRD'S FOOT.
Chloe says, THE FOOT IS SO TINY.
HOW ARE WE GONNA DO THAT?
Ken says, NOW I USE THESE PLIERS
TO VERY CAREFULLY CRIMP IT
AROUND THE BIRD'S LEG,
WITHOUT HURTING IT.
Ken places a small silver band around the hummingbird’s foot using small pliers.
Chloe gasps and says, OH!
Ken says, THERE WE GO!
NOW THIS HUMMINGBIRD
HAS A FANCY,
NEW PIECE OF JEWELLERY.
Chloe says, VERY FASHIONABLE.
Ken says, NOW, WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUR
SPECIAL MICROCHIP IN THE BIRD
SO THAT IT WILL BE RECOGNIZED
AT OUR FEEDER STATIONS.
Chloe asks, HOW DO WE DO THAT?
Ken says, WELL, FOR THAT,
I'M GONNA NEED THE HELP OF MY
SPECIALLY TRAINED ASSISTANT.
THIS IS MY WIFE, ROBIN.
Robin has long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and sits beside Ken. She wears a light blue shirt over a bright blue t-shirt.
Robin says, HI!
Ken says, SO, ROBIN HAS BEEN TRAINED
ON HOW TO HOLD THE BIRD
IN JUST THE RIGHT POSITION,
SO THAT WE CAN DO THIS EASILY,
QUICKLY, AND SAFELY.
THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO
IS USE A LITTLE BIT
OF LIDOCAINE,
WHICH HELPS TO NUMB THE SKIN.
THAT'S GONNA HELP THE
HUMMINGBIRD NOT TO FEEL MUCH.
Robin holds the hummingbird in her hands, with its beak between two of her fingers. Ken rubs a long cotton swab over the hummingbird.
Ken continues, I'M ALSO GOING TO USE
A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING
CALLED BETADINE, TO CLEAN
AND STERILIZE THE AREA,
SO THAT THE BIRD
WON'T GET AN INFECTION.
AND I'M GOING TO USE
THESE FORCEPS
TO GENTLY HOLD ON TO ITS SKIN,
AND GENTLY SLIDE THIS NEEDLE
IN AND INJECT THE CHIP.
Chloe says, WOW, THIS WORK IS SO PRECISE!
Ken says, YOU HAVE TO BE,
WITH SOMETHING SO SMALL.
NOW WE'LL GIVE THIS LITTLE GUY
A DRINK
TO SAY THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
AND HE CAN BE ON HIS WAY.
Chloe asks, CAN I PET IT, KEN?
Ken says, SURE.
Chloe gently strokes the top of the hummingbird’s head with her index finger.
Chloe says, YOU DID GOOD,
LITTLE GUY.
A hummingbird hovers inside a white cage.
(Wings hum)
Housten says, RES-PIR-OMETRY.
RESPIROMETRY.
I GOT IT, RIGHT?
Housten and Eric stand beside the white cage.
Erich says, YOU GOT IT.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH A FANCY WORD
TO SAY
THAT WE'RE MEASURING
THE BREATH.
JUST LIKE HUMANS,
HUMMINGBIRDS BREATHE IN OXYGEN
AND BREATHE OUT CARBON DIOXIDE.
BY MEASURING THE LEVELS
OF CARBON DIOXIDE,
WE CAN SEE HOW THE BIRD
IS USING ITS ENERGY
AND HOW THE BIRD IS USING
THAT SUGAR IN ITS MEAL.
The hummingbird hovers beside a feeder inside the cage.
Housten asks, COOL! SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?
Erich says, SO, THIS HERE,
IS A RESPIROMETRY MASK.
The hummingbird hovers beside a tiny plastic bag attached to the feeder.
Erich continues, INSTEAD OF THE BIRD
PUTTING ON THE MASK,
THE BIRD FLIES INTO THE MASK
TO GET A SUGAR MEAL
OUT OF THIS TUBE, HERE.
LET'S SEE WHAT THE DATA
LOOKS LIKE.
A monitor shows a long red horizontal line with one peak.
Eric continues, THIS NICE, FLAT LEVEL
IS THE BASELINE.
AND THEN, THE BIRD
STICKS ITS HEAD
INTO THE RESPIROMETRY MASK
AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE LEVEL
GOES UP.
AND THEN, THE BIRD TAKES
ITS HEAD OUT
OF THE RESPIROMETRY MASK,
AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE LEVEL
GOES DOWN,
AND BACK TO THIS NICE,
FLAT BASELINE.
SO, WE KNOW 100% OF THE ENERGY
THAT THIS GUY IS BURNING
CAME FROM THE SUGAR IT ATE
JUST MOMENTS AGO.
Housten says, THAT'S SO COOL!
Erich says, I THINK SO, TOO.
I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN ENOUGH
DATA FROM THIS GUY
FOR TODAY, SO, LET'S RELEASE
HIM BACK INTO THE WILD.
Housten says, YEAH!
Ken and Chloe approach Housten and Erich in the field.
Chloe asks, HEY, HOUSTEN, HOW'D IT GO?
Housten says, IT WENT GREAT!
Chloe says, COOL. WELL, WE TAGGED
OUR LITTLE BIRDIE,
AND HE'S READY FOR THE WORLD.
Ken holds his hummingbird.
Ken says, ALL RIGHT, GUYS,
I THINK IT'S TIME TO RELEASE
THESE BIRDS,
SO THEY CAN GO OUT,
EAT MORE SUGAR,
POLLINATE MORE PLANTS,
AND BUILD UP THEIR ENERGY
FOR THE JOURNEY TO COME.
The hummingbirds sit in Chloe and Housten’s hands.
Chloe says, HE'S SO CUTE!
(Giggles)
The hummingbirds fly away.
Housten says, WHOA!
Chloe says, TODAY WAS SUCH A FUN MISSION.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
Everyone wiggles their fingers, then raises their hands above their heads.
Housten and Chloe say, HIGH FLY!!
(Laughter)
A flower with yellow petals and a blue centre spins in front of Leo. Text reads, Pollinheads Alert!
Leo says POLLINHEADS ALERT!
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS
NEED EVERYONE'S HELP
TO GET DOWN SOUTH, SAFELY.
WHICH MEANS, THEY NEED FUEL
FOR THAT BIG JOURNEY
AND LOTS OF IT!
PLANT HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY
PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN,
LIKE LILY, JEWELWEED,
AND CARDINAL FLOWER,
TO GIVE THE HUMMINGBIRDS
A PRETTY PLACE TO FEAST.
NO GARDEN? NO PROBLEM!
IT'S EASY TO MAKE A FEEDER
YOURSELF
OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS.
THERE'S NO BAD TIME OF THE YEAR
TO PUT IT OUT,
JUST FILL IT WITH SUGAR WATER,
AND REAL SUGAR,
YOU KNOW, THE WHITE STUFF.
DON'T ADD ANY DYE TO ATTRACT
THE BIRDS.
THAT CAN ACTUALLY HARM THEM.
Hummingbirds hover beside bird feeders.
(Wings hum)
Leo continues, MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN
THE FEEDER OFTEN -
AND NO SOAP. UH-UH!
HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY GARDENS
AND CLEAN FEEDERS
WILL KEEP THE HUMMINGBIRDS FED
AND POLLINATING
FOR YEARS TO COME!
AS FOR ME,
I'M HAPPY TO LEAVE THE NECTAR
TO THE HUMMINGBIRDS.
OOH! I COULD USE A TOOTHBRUSH.
DO THEY MAKE TOOTHBRUSHES
FOR FISH?
I'VE GOTTA FIND OUT.
End credits. Directed and written by Melissa Peters. Created by Karen Hawes and Christopher Szarka.
Produced by Christopher Szarka and Raj Panikkar. With Naomi Melvin as “Leo” and Chloe Drayton and Housten Daghighi.
Produced in Association with tvo Kids. Fifth Ground Entertainment. tvo Kids.
Text reads, “tvo kids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original”
A kid says, WEE!
(Giggling)
A bee flies over dandelions in a field.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators.”
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN
FROM ONE PLANT, TO ANOTHER.
POLLEN IS THE STUFF
THAT HELPS MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
A bee pollinates a pink flower.
Text reads, “‘Nator Navigator”
Leo continues, WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING,
SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY.
EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD TOO.
Text reads, “Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club”
Leo, a red and blue fish, swims at the bottom of a lake.
Leo says, WEE!
HELLO, POLLINHEADS!
DON'T MIND ME.
I'VE GOT A LITTLE EXTRA PEP
IN MY STEP TODAY
BECAUSE I'VE JUST TRIED
FLOWER NECTAR,
AND NECTAR, MY FRIENDS,
IS A POTENT FORM OF SUGAR.
NOT EXACTLY A FISH-FRIENDLY
FOOD, NOPE,
BUT TODAY'S CREATURE
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.
SO, I FIGURED I SHOULD SEE
WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, FOR SCIENCE.
A hummingbird hovers beside the red base of a bird feeder.
Text reads, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
Leo continues, I CAN SEE WHY IT MAKES
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
FLITTER.
THESE SUGAR-LOVIN' BIRDS
ARE THE TOP OF TODAY'S
'NATOR NAVIGATOR.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE IMPORTANT POLLINATORS
FOR OVER 30 PLANTS
ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.
WHEN THEY STICK THEIR BEAK
IN A FLOWER FOR NECTAR,
POLLEN CLINGS ALL OVER
THEIR HEAD.
THEN, WHEN VISITING A FLOWER
FROM THE SAME PLANT,
SOME OF THE POLLEN FALLS OFF.
AND WHEN IT DOES,
HUZZAH, POLLINATION!
THESE TINY BIRDIES CLOCK IN
AT ONLY 9 TO 10 CENTIMETRES,
WHICH IS ABOUT THE SIZE
OF A CRAYON.
AND THEY HAVE SUPER ROTATING
WINGS THAT ALMOST HUM.
THEY FLAP THOSE WINGS
AT 70 TIMES PER SECOND.
THEY LIVE IN EASTERN CANADA
AND THE UNITED STATES,
BUT EVERY WINTER, THEY MIGRATE
DOWN TO CENTRAL AMERICA.
A map of the western hemisphere shows an orange arrow pointing from eastern Canada to Central America.
Leo continues, IT'S A LONG JOURNEY!
TO SURVIVE THE TRIP,
THEY HAVE TO EAT ENOUGH SUGAR
TO GAIN 50 PERCENT
MORE BODY WEIGHT.
HOW CAN THEIR TEENY,
TINY BODIES
HANDLE ALL THAT SUGAR?
I ONLY HAD ONE SIP OF NECTAR
AND LOOK AT ME GO!
Leo spins underwater.
Leo continues, TODAY, THE POLLINHEADS ARE
MEETING UP WITH SCIENTISTS,
KEN AND ERICH, FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
AT THE KOFFLER SCIENTIFIC
RESERVE IN KING CITY.
An orange flag on a map of Ontario highlights King City and Koffler Scientific Reserve.
Leo says, CHLOE AND HOUSTEN ARE GOING
TO HELP CONDUCT RESEARCH
ON THE SUGAR-ADDICTED
HUMMINGBIRD.
OUR POLLINHEAD TEAM
IS ABOUT TO SEE
JUST HOW MUCH SUGAR
THIS LITTLE BIRD CAN TAKE.
(Upbeat jazz music)
Ken, Erich, Chloe, and Housten walk through a grassy path. Trees and bushes grow alongside the path.
Ken has short grey hair and wears a white plaid shirt and khaki shorts.
Text reads, Dr. Kenneth Welch, University of Toronto Biologist.
Ken says, THIS IS ONE OF OUR FEEDER
STATIONS.
Ken stands beside a wooden pole that has a hummingbird feeder hanging from it.
Ken continues, THESE FEEDER STATIONS ARE LIKE
SUGAR BUFFETS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.
WE FILL THEM WITH SUGAR WATER
AND PUT THEM AT VARIOUS PLACES
AROUND THE RESERVE
AND WE CAN TRACK
THE HUMMINGBIRDS
WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT.
Chloe says, AS MUCH AS I LOVE CANDY,
I REALLY COULDN'T IMAGINE
EATING ONLY SUGAR.
Ken says, THEY NEED A LITTLE BIT
OF PROTEIN, AND SOME VITAMINS,
BUT HUMMINGBIRDS
NEED VERY LITTLE,
AND THEY GET IT FROM EATING
A FEW BUGS, OR SOME POLLEN.
SO, MOST OF THE CALORIES
THAT THEY INGEST,
IT'S JUST SUGAR.
Erich wears a navy-blue button-down shirt over a green t-shirt. He wears a navy-blue cap and has a neatly trimmed brown beard.
Text reads, Erich Eberts. University of Toronto. Ph.D. Candidate in Biology.
Erich says, WHEN A HUMMINGBIRD'S
OUT AND ABOUT,
THEY CAN DRINK THE EQUIVALENT
OF ONE OF YOU GUYS
DRINKING A CAN OF COLA
A MINUTE.
Leo twirls. Housten is pictured on a monitor behind him.
Leo says, WOO! THAT'S A LOT OF COLA.
A hummingbird sits on a green ring as it drinks from a bird feeder.
Ken says, AND THESE GUYS NEED TO GET
READY TO MIGRATE SOUTH
FOR THE WINTER,
AND IT'S A LONG FLIGHT,
SO THEY REALLY NEED
TO PACK ON THE POUNDS.
AND EATING ALL THAT SUGAR
IS GREAT FOR DOING THAT.
Erich says, MOST OF THE BIRDS AROUND HERE
HAVE A LITTLE IDENTIFYING
MICROCHIP IN THEM,
SO THAT WHEN IT COMES
AND SITS ON THIS PERCH,
AND DRINKS FROM THE FEEDER,
IT CHECKS ITSELF IN.
Ken says, AND SO, WE CAN SEE
WHEN THEY COME BACK
AGAIN AND AGAIN,
HOW THEIR WEIGHT IS CHANGING
OVER TIME.
AND AS THEY GET READY
TO MIGRATE SOUTH,
WE CAN WATCH THEM PLUMP UP
TO DO IT.
Ken shows Chloe and Housten a cellphone.
Ken continues, ONE REALLY COOL THING
IS THAT WE HAVE IT SET UP
SO WE CAN WATCH THAT DATA
SHOW UP ON OUR PHONE.
Chloe says, THAT'S REALLY COOL.
Ken asks, YOU GUYS WANNA TRAP ONE?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
(Hummingbird wings humming)
The hummingbird flies away from the feeder.
Ken asks, YOU GUYS READY TO CATCH
SOME HUMMINGBIRDS?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
Ken, Housten, and Chloe stand beside a wire cage containing a hummingbird feeder.
Ken says, WELL, THIS IS HOW WE'RE GONNA
DO IT.
INSIDE IS A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER
AND THE BIRD HAS TO FLY IN
THROUGH THIS DOOR TO GET IT.
AND AT JUST THE RIGHT MOMENT...
(Door clanks)
Ken continues, WE DROP THE DOOR
AND CATCH THE BIRD.
YOU GONNA HELP ME?
Housten and Chloe say, YEAH!
Ken stretches a piece of string from the cage door to beside a house. Ken, Housten, and Chloe sit behind a picnic table beside the house.
Ken says, ALL RIGHT,
LET'S GET IN POSITION.
AND NOW, WE WAIT.
Housten says, I HOPE WE GET LUCKY!
Ken says, ME TOO.
Chloe says, IT REALLY IS LIKE
FISHING FOR HUMMINGBIRDS.
(Wings humming, chirping)
A hummingbird hovers inside the cage. Ken releases the string. The cage door closes.
(Housten and Chloe gasp)
Ken says, WE GOT ONE. WOO-HOO!
Chloe says, WE GOT ONE!
Ken reaches through a black flap on the side of the cage and takes the hummingbird in his hand.
Ken says, AND THIS IS A JUVENILE
HUMMINGBIRD.
Housten says, YEAH.
(Chloe gasps)
Ken continues, THAT MEANS IT WAS JUST BORN
THIS SUMMER.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY HELLO?
Housten says, YES. HI!
(Giggles)
Ken asks, AND YOU?
Chloe says, YOU'RE SO CUTE! HI!
Ken says, AND I'M GONNA PUT IT
IN THIS CLOTH BAG
SO THAT WE CAN CAREFULLY
AND SAFELY
TAKE IT BACK TO THE CAMP.
Ken, Houston, and Chloe walk through a trail amidst tall dry grass.
Chloe says, HEY ERICH, WE GOT ONE!
Erich says, AWESOME! SO DID WE!
Ken says, EXCELLENT.
NOW THE RESEARCH CAN BEGIN.
CHLOE, I NEED YOU TO COME
WITH ME.
WE HAVE TO TAG THAT BIRD SO
THAT IT CAN CHECK ITSELF IN
THE NEXT TIME IT COMES
TO OUR FEEDER STATIONS.
Erich says, AND HOUSTEN,
YOU'LL COME WITH ME,
AND WE'RE GONNA GO DO
SOME RESPIROMETRY.
Leo watches everyone on the monitor.
Leo says, I'M SO GLAD TO SEE
THE POLLINHEADS
ARE BEING PUT TO GOOD USE!
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY,
JUST A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR
HELPS THE HUMMINGBIRDS
FLY ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
RIGHT?
Housten walks through a field with Erich.
Housten asks, WHERE DO THE HUMMINGBIRDS
GET THEIR SUGAR FIX
IF THEY'RE NOT BY THE FEEDER?
CAN THEY GO TO ANY PLANT?
Erich says, YES, THERE'S LOTS OF FLOWERS
AROUND THE RESERVE.
Images of a yellow flower and a purple flower are shown.
Eric continues, THIS IS BIRDSFOOT
TREFOIL,
AND THIS ONE'S
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE.
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THESE
FLOWERS
IS THAT THEY'RE NICE AND LONG,
AND TUBULAR,
AND EVOLVED SPECIFICALLY
FOR HUMMINGBIRDS
OVER OTHER POLLINATORS,
SO THAT THE FLOWERS ALWAYS
KNOW THAT THE HUMMINGBIRDS
ARE GONNA BE POLLINATING THEM,
AND THEN,
THE HUMMINGBIRDS KNOW THAT
THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE
SUGAR IN THESE GUYS.
Housten says, SO, IT'S LIKE A WIN-WIN.
I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS
IN NATURE.
Erich says, EXACTLY! THAT'S WHAT WE CALL
A MUTUALISM,
WHERE BOTH PARTIES
ARE BENEFITTING
FROM THAT INTERACTION.
Housten says, COOL!
Chloe sits at a table in a laboratory with Ken. Ken holds the hummingbird.
Chloe says, IT'S EVEN CUTER THAN
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
AND I ACTUALLY CANNOT BELIEVE
HOW LONG ITS BEAK IS.
Ken says, THAT LONG BILL
IS WHAT HELPS IT REACH DOWN
INTO THE END OF THOSE LONG,
TUBULAR FLOWERS,
TO ACCESS THE NECTAR
THAT INSECTS CAN'T REACH.
IN ADDITION, ITS TONGUE
HAS SPECIAL FLAPS
ON THE END OF IT.
An orange arrow points to the hummingbird’s small tongue
Chloe asks, FLAPPY TONGUE?
Ken says, YEAH.
THEY STICK THEIR TONGUE INTO
THE NECTAR
AND IT OPENS UP AND AS THEY
PULL THEIR TONGUE BACK OUT,
IT GRABS AND CARRIES
SOME OF THE NECTAR WITH IT.
Chloe says, WEIRD, BUT COOL.
Ken says, IT WORKS FOR
THE HUMMINGBIRD.
THEY HAVE LOTS OF OTHER
UNIQUE FEATURES.
THEIR WINGS ARE VERY FLEXIBLE,
SO THEY CAN BEAT THEM
BACK AND FORTH,
RATHER THAN UP AND DOWN.
AND THAT ALLOWS THEM
TO HOVER IN PLACE.
IN ADDITION,
THEY FLAP THEIR WINGS
60 TIMES EVERY SECOND.
Chloe says, 60 TIMES?
Ken says, THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEIR WINGS
SOUND LIKE THEY'RE HUMMING.
Chloe looks at the hummingbird and says, YOU HAVE VERY IMPRESSIVE
WINGS.
Ken says, WHY, THANK YOU.
(Ken and Chloe laugh and giggle)
Ken says, NOW THAT WE'VE CAUGHT HIM,
WE NEED TO TAG HIM
AND TAKE SOME MEASUREMENTS
THAT WILL HELP US
LEARN MORE ABOUT HIM.
WE'RE GOING TO SLIP HIM INSIDE
THIS LITTLE SHEATH
TO HOLD HIM STILL.
Chloe says, RIGHT, SO HE DOESN'T
FLAP AWAY.
Ken places the hummingbird on a small scale.
Ken says, OF COURSE. 2.68 GRAMS.
NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GET
A COUPLE OF MEASUREMENTS.
LET'S MEASURE ITS WINGS.
Ken holds a silver ruler up to the hummingbird.
Chloe says, UM, ABOUT 44 MILLIMETRES.
Ken says, THAT'S RIGHT.
NOW, WE'RE GONNA MEASURE
THE LENGTH OF ITS BILL
USING THESE CALIPERS: 18.2.
Chloe asks, WHAT'S NEXT?
Ken says, WE NEED TO STICK
A LITTLE METAL BAND
WITH A SPECIAL,
INDIVIDUAL NUMBER
ON THE BIRD'S FOOT.
Chloe says, THE FOOT IS SO TINY.
HOW ARE WE GONNA DO THAT?
Ken says, NOW I USE THESE PLIERS
TO VERY CAREFULLY CRIMP IT
AROUND THE BIRD'S LEG,
WITHOUT HURTING IT.
Ken places a small silver band around the hummingbird’s foot using small pliers.
Chloe gasps and says, OH!
Ken says, THERE WE GO!
NOW THIS HUMMINGBIRD
HAS A FANCY,
NEW PIECE OF JEWELLERY.
Chloe says, VERY FASHIONABLE.
Ken says, NOW, WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUR
SPECIAL MICROCHIP IN THE BIRD
SO THAT IT WILL BE RECOGNIZED
AT OUR FEEDER STATIONS.
Chloe asks, HOW DO WE DO THAT?
Ken says, WELL, FOR THAT,
I'M GONNA NEED THE HELP OF MY
SPECIALLY TRAINED ASSISTANT.
THIS IS MY WIFE, ROBIN.
Robin has long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and sits beside Ken. She wears a light blue shirt over a bright blue t-shirt.
Robin says, HI!
Ken says, SO, ROBIN HAS BEEN TRAINED
ON HOW TO HOLD THE BIRD
IN JUST THE RIGHT POSITION,
SO THAT WE CAN DO THIS EASILY,
QUICKLY, AND SAFELY.
THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO
IS USE A LITTLE BIT
OF LIDOCAINE,
WHICH HELPS TO NUMB THE SKIN.
THAT'S GONNA HELP THE
HUMMINGBIRD NOT TO FEEL MUCH.
Robin holds the hummingbird in her hands, with its beak between two of her fingers. Ken rubs a long cotton swab over the hummingbird.
Ken continues, I'M ALSO GOING TO USE
A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING
CALLED BETADINE, TO CLEAN
AND STERILIZE THE AREA,
SO THAT THE BIRD
WON'T GET AN INFECTION.
AND I'M GOING TO USE
THESE FORCEPS
TO GENTLY HOLD ON TO ITS SKIN,
AND GENTLY SLIDE THIS NEEDLE
IN AND INJECT THE CHIP.
Chloe says, WOW, THIS WORK IS SO PRECISE!
Ken says, YOU HAVE TO BE,
WITH SOMETHING SO SMALL.
NOW WE'LL GIVE THIS LITTLE GUY
A DRINK
TO SAY THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
AND HE CAN BE ON HIS WAY.
Chloe asks, CAN I PET IT, KEN?
Ken says, SURE.
Chloe gently strokes the top of the hummingbird’s head with her index finger.
Chloe says, YOU DID GOOD,
LITTLE GUY.
A hummingbird hovers inside a white cage.
(Wings hum)
Housten says, RES-PIR-OMETRY.
RESPIROMETRY.
I GOT IT, RIGHT?
Housten and Eric stand beside the white cage.
Erich says, YOU GOT IT.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH A FANCY WORD
TO SAY
THAT WE'RE MEASURING
THE BREATH.
JUST LIKE HUMANS,
HUMMINGBIRDS BREATHE IN OXYGEN
AND BREATHE OUT CARBON DIOXIDE.
BY MEASURING THE LEVELS
OF CARBON DIOXIDE,
WE CAN SEE HOW THE BIRD
IS USING ITS ENERGY
AND HOW THE BIRD IS USING
THAT SUGAR IN ITS MEAL.
The hummingbird hovers beside a feeder inside the cage.
Housten asks, COOL! SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?
Erich says, SO, THIS HERE,
IS A RESPIROMETRY MASK.
The hummingbird hovers beside a tiny plastic bag attached to the feeder.
Erich continues, INSTEAD OF THE BIRD
PUTTING ON THE MASK,
THE BIRD FLIES INTO THE MASK
TO GET A SUGAR MEAL
OUT OF THIS TUBE, HERE.
LET'S SEE WHAT THE DATA
LOOKS LIKE.
A monitor shows a long red horizontal line with one peak.
Eric continues, THIS NICE, FLAT LEVEL
IS THE BASELINE.
AND THEN, THE BIRD
STICKS ITS HEAD
INTO THE RESPIROMETRY MASK
AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE LEVEL
GOES UP.
AND THEN, THE BIRD TAKES
ITS HEAD OUT
OF THE RESPIROMETRY MASK,
AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE LEVEL
GOES DOWN,
AND BACK TO THIS NICE,
FLAT BASELINE.
SO, WE KNOW 100% OF THE ENERGY
THAT THIS GUY IS BURNING
CAME FROM THE SUGAR IT ATE
JUST MOMENTS AGO.
Housten says, THAT'S SO COOL!
Erich says, I THINK SO, TOO.
I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN ENOUGH
DATA FROM THIS GUY
FOR TODAY, SO, LET'S RELEASE
HIM BACK INTO THE WILD.
Housten says, YEAH!
Ken and Chloe approach Housten and Erich in the field.
Chloe asks, HEY, HOUSTEN, HOW'D IT GO?
Housten says, IT WENT GREAT!
Chloe says, COOL. WELL, WE TAGGED
OUR LITTLE BIRDIE,
AND HE'S READY FOR THE WORLD.
Ken holds his hummingbird.
Ken says, ALL RIGHT, GUYS,
I THINK IT'S TIME TO RELEASE
THESE BIRDS,
SO THEY CAN GO OUT,
EAT MORE SUGAR,
POLLINATE MORE PLANTS,
AND BUILD UP THEIR ENERGY
FOR THE JOURNEY TO COME.
The hummingbirds sit in Chloe and Housten’s hands.
Chloe says, HE'S SO CUTE!
(Giggles)
The hummingbirds fly away.
Housten says, WHOA!
Chloe says, TODAY WAS SUCH A FUN MISSION.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
Everyone wiggles their fingers, then raises their hands above their heads.
Housten and Chloe say, HIGH FLY!!
(Laughter)
A flower with yellow petals and a blue centre spins in front of Leo. Text reads, Pollinheads Alert!
Leo says POLLINHEADS ALERT!
THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS
NEED EVERYONE'S HELP
TO GET DOWN SOUTH, SAFELY.
WHICH MEANS, THEY NEED FUEL
FOR THAT BIG JOURNEY
AND LOTS OF IT!
PLANT HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY
PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN,
LIKE LILY, JEWELWEED,
AND CARDINAL FLOWER,
TO GIVE THE HUMMINGBIRDS
A PRETTY PLACE TO FEAST.
NO GARDEN? NO PROBLEM!
IT'S EASY TO MAKE A FEEDER
YOURSELF
OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS.
THERE'S NO BAD TIME OF THE YEAR
TO PUT IT OUT,
JUST FILL IT WITH SUGAR WATER,
AND REAL SUGAR,
YOU KNOW, THE WHITE STUFF.
DON'T ADD ANY DYE TO ATTRACT
THE BIRDS.
THAT CAN ACTUALLY HARM THEM.
Hummingbirds hover beside bird feeders.
(Wings hum)
Leo continues, MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN
THE FEEDER OFTEN -
AND NO SOAP. UH-UH!
HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY GARDENS
AND CLEAN FEEDERS
WILL KEEP THE HUMMINGBIRDS FED
AND POLLINATING
FOR YEARS TO COME!
AS FOR ME,
I'M HAPPY TO LEAVE THE NECTAR
TO THE HUMMINGBIRDS.
OOH! I COULD USE A TOOTHBRUSH.
DO THEY MAKE TOOTHBRUSHES
FOR FISH?
I'VE GOTTA FIND OUT.
End credits. Directed and written by Melissa Peters. Created by Karen Hawes and Christopher Szarka.
Produced by Christopher Szarka and Raj Panikkar. With Naomi Melvin as “Leo” and Chloe Drayton and Housten Daghighi.
Produced in Association with tvo Kids. Fifth Ground Entertainment. tvo Kids.
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