Do we have the impression that all birds can only fly forward? Is there a bird that can fly backward? The answer is yes, it is the hummingbird.

When flying, hummingbirds can not only fly up and down, but also left and right, as well as back and forth, and can even hover in one position for a long time.

So, why does the hummingbird have such a strong ability to fly? And what does this actually do for it? Let's talk about this together.

Hummingbirds are a species of bird unique to the Americas. Their adult body length is only about 5 centimeters and their weight is about 1.8 grams. Even the largest hummingbird, the giant hummingbird of South America, is only about 20 cm long and weighs about 20 grams.

Although small in size, hummingbirds have three outstanding characteristics compared to other birds: the fastest metabolic rate of any bird, super-fast flight speed, and superb flying skills.

According to ornithologists, hummingbirds are able to reach a heart rate of 1,000 beats per minute when flying, a rate that is already the same as the limit for bats.

Such a fast heartbeat predetermines that its metabolic rate will not be low. Therefore, in order to meet the body's energy consumption, hummingbirds have to eat food larger than their own body weight in a day.

As diurnal birds, hummingbirds actively lower their heart rate and breathing rate at night to reduce their energy consumption.

The fastest swooping bird of all is the peregrine falcon, which can swoop down on its prey at speeds of up to 360 kilometers per hour.

But strictly speaking, the peregrine falcon is not the fastest-flying bird. Although the speed of the hummingbird is not as fast as that of the peregrine falcon, it is surprising that the hummingbird can reach an average speed of 90 km per hour with its small size.

Finally, its superior flight technology sets it apart from other birds. As previously mentioned, the hummingbird is the most skilled bird in the world. Most birds can only fly up and down and forward, but hummingbirds have the ability to hover, and fly backward, left, right, and in the air. It is hard to imagine how a hummingbird can hover and fly backward with its wings constantly waving back and forth.

The hummingbird's superb flying ability can be attributed to four main aspects: its lightweight, high frequency of wing swings, flexible shoulder joints, and superb balance. The average hummingbird weighs only a few grams, making it more agile. The hummingbird's wings are also different from other birds in that they have the most flexible shoulder joints of any bird.

This allows them to change the angle of their wings in order to fly. When hovering, the hummingbird holds its body as vertically to the ground as possible and then changes its wings to swing back and forth.

At this point, it only needs to find the balance between lift and gravity and the front and back forces to achieve hovering. If it needs to rise vertically, it only needs to adjust the frequency of the wings. Despite being the smallest bird in the world, the hummingbird has the most precise control over its wings. It is truly an aerobatic flyer.