You probably know a little about Hummingbirds…most commonly that they’re small-sized with rapid wing beats that hum with speed. Hummingbirds can move anywhere from eight to 200 times per second! Vibrant in color, they dart and dive. A hummingbird tongue will go in and out of a flower up to twenty times per second, almost like a science lab pipette sucking up liquid. The fab factor doesn’t stop there with these amazing little birds–here are five fun facts about how hummingbirds can fly backwards!
Are they the only backwards flying birds?
Herons, warblers, and egrets are a few birds that can fly backwards. Yet these kinds of birds can only fly that way, briefly. Usually these birds’ backwards bursts are in self-defense when predators are going after them. Hummingbirds however fly backwards without much effort and can sustain it for long periods of time! They move from flower to flower with ease, gathering nectar quickly and more efficiently than they would if they could only fly forwards like other birds. The hummingbirds are also able to evade hawks, frogs, spiders, and other predators by quickly flying backwards out of harm’s way.
Hummingbirds wings are made for the job!
Hummingbirds possess uniquely designed wings. The wings attach to the sternum in a tiny ball-and-socket joint that is distinctive to hummingbirds. This anatomy allows for the flexibility of wing movement that is required for the hummingbird’s backwards flight. This ball and socket is known as a rotator cuff, just like in human shoulders! The rotator cuff adaptation evolved so that the little birds can drink nectar from flowers easier and faster. With such a high metabolism, the birds need to get as much food as possible. Flying backwards allows them to retract their beak from the flower efficiently, allowing them to keep their energy up.
Figure 8 flight!
Hummingbirds move their wings in a forward to backward motion, which creates a Figure 8 in the air while they are flying. This Figure 8 technique is much different than how other birds do things, as most birds flap their wings to lift off the ground. Hummingbirds use their tail feathers to provide lift and thrust in addition to their Figure 8 form. Because of this technique, hummingbirds are able to move in all directions, including flying backwards!
Backwards flying and breathing
Scientists knew hummingbirds could fly backwards, but recent studies have delved deeper into the flight pattern and its effects. When scientists measured the respiratory effects of hummingbirds in backwards flight versus front, they observed the birds to use a more upright posture. Further tests showed no change in metabolism in forward flying feeding and backwards flying feeding. Turns out both manners of flight use the same amount of energy. How efficient!
Flying backwards takes heart!
It takes a powerful motor to maneuver in the sky forwards and backwards. Good thing the hummingbird is equipped to handle it. On average, a hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute! This accelerated heart rate allows enough oxygen to keep pace with their backwards flying dynamics. While scientists aren’t exactly sure how fast hummingbirds can fly backward, they estimate that it is around 5 to 10 miles per hour. What a difference from their forward top speed of around 30–35 miles per hour!
Hummingbirds top the list for acrobatic flying abilities. Their ability to adeptly fly backwards is an adaptation marvel, and spectacular to witness. These agile avian wonders may be tiny, but they are definitely mighty!