April 23, 2024
From hummingbirds to kingfishers, witness nature's acrobats as they perform breathtaking maneuvers in reverse.
Other birds may move backwards while in flight, but only hummingbirds can fly backwards for a significant amount of time.
This is all down to how their wings are structured. They have a ball and socket joint (known as a rotator cuff) that allows for a greater span of movement, freeing their wings up to move in all directions.
As well as allowing them to move their wings in a figure of 8 movement that means they can hover in one spot; this is what lets them fly backwards.
The unique way their wings are formed is unlike the muscles and build of most birds’ wings, which can only move in a way that propels them forwards.
Flying backwards is a necessity for hummingbirds. As well as eating berries and insects such as ants, aphids, and beetles, hummingbirds rely on nectar to sustain themselves.
This provides the energy they need to keep up with their high metabolism and acts as their main water source to keep them hydrated.