Hummingbirds are renowned for their beauty and are, in fact, the most colourful of all known bird species.
Their tiny bodies also house several remarkable abilities. They can flap their wings between 20 and 80 times a second and can even reach speeds comparable to those of fighter jets. Their wings, however, differ from those of other birds. They are extremely stiff and extend almost straight out from the body.
Hummingbirds are the only birds capable of sustained backward flight, a skill made possible by their extraordinary wing mechanics. Unlike other birds, they rotate their wings in a full figure-of-eight pattern, generating lift on both the forward and backward strokes.
This allows them to hover in place, move sideways, and fly backwards with remarkable precision. Their wings can beat more than 50 times per second, giving them unmatched control in the air. This unique ability is essential for feeding, enabling them to retreat smoothly from flowers after sipping nectar.
To pass through small openings, the birds pull their wings close to their bodies and shoot through like a bullet. They may also turn sideways to navigate specific gaps.
