Small wings.
Big sky.

The dots turn ruby

Watch Henry's throat turn ruby.

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Young males earn their ruby throat on their first winter in the south. Every fact is true.

Read the first pages.

The migration map

Canada to Costa Rica, alone, at ten weeks old.

The Flower Chant

Say them all, just like Henry.

Tap the flowers in order. Henry remembers every one.

SAGE BEE BALM RED VINE HIBISCUS LOBSTER CLAW

Real Henry.

Everything in the story is true. Tap a card.

5¢

Weighs less than a nickel.

That coin is drawn at true size.

About 3 grams. A nickel is 5. He nearly doubles his weight before the crossing, then flies it all off.

1,200 heartbeats a minute.

In flight. At rest it's about 400. Put your hand on your heart: Henry's beats about 20 times faster.

Young birds fly south alone.

Their parents leave two to four weeks earlier. The young bird finds the way on its own.

Crosses the Gulf in one night.

About 800 km without stopping, usually leaving at dusk. Scientists track the flocks on weather radar.

Goes cold and still every night.

That's torpor. Body temperature drops, heart rate falls to about 40, and he shivers awake at dawn.

Earns his red throat down south.

Young males show only a few red dots in their first fall. The full ruby gorget grows in over their first winter.

Look inside.

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