The hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world, with a body length of only 6 centimeters and a weight of only 2 to 3 grams. Its body is only slightly larger than that of a bee.

A hummingbird's heartbeat is also speedy, reaching 615 times per minute, approximately eight times that of a human.

Perhaps most astonishingly, some hummingbirds have migratory habits. Hummingbirds can fly to altitudes of four to five thousand meters, reaching up to 50 kilometers per hour, making it difficult for people to see them regularly in their daily lives. A hummingbird's wings vibrate at a very high frequency, flapping 50 to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in mid-air and even fly backward.

Many people believe that the remarkable aspect of hummingbirds lies in their small and agile nature and their ability to fly backward and hover at the same height. Why is this?

There is a legendary story about hummingbirds flying backward. It is said that in ancient times, hummingbirds did not fly backward but flew forward like other birds. Because there was a rule in the hummingbird family that all hummingbirds must bravely charge forward, retreating would result in attacks from other hummingbirds.

Although hummingbirds are tiny, their family thrived, and when they flocked together, they could darken the sky, covering vast stretches of forest in their shadow.

Once, a forest caught fire. Hummingbirds, naturally courageous and unafraid of sacrifice, saw the raging fire encroaching on their territory and, under the command of the Hummingbird King, flocked to attack the fire. Because they were not allowed to retreat, they could only continue to launch attacks on the fire.

As the hummingbird family was on the brink of extinction, one hummingbird wavered and attempted to retreat. The Hummingbird King, seeing this, was furious and commanded other hummingbirds to attack the retreating hummingbird. However, instead of rushing towards the traitor as usual, the other hummingbirds followed the retreating one.

As a result, the Hummingbird King and many hummingbirds became sacrifices to the fire, and only a tiny portion of the hummingbirds survived, continuing the hummingbird's life.

However, this story is just a story. Hummingbirds flying backward and hovering serve practical purposes, giving them significant advantages in the natural world.

1. Wing Structure of Hummingbirds:

The wing structure of hummingbirds is significantly different from that of other birds. While typical birds generate lift by flapping their wings up and down, hummingbirds can generate lift in the forward and backward directions.

This is because hummingbirds' wings can rotate 180 degrees at the shoulder, and their arms and wrists can flexibly twist, allowing the wings to trace a figure-eight trajectory in the air. Thus, whether the wings flap forward or backward, they can support the hummingbird sufficiently.

2. Muscle Strength of Hummingbirds:

In addition to wing structure, hummingbirds possess powerful muscle strength. Their chest muscles account for 30% of their body weight, allowing them to control their wings' movement quickly. Moreover, their feet are fragile and almost incapable of walking or jumping, which also lightens their burden during flight.

Feeding:

Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar and sugar water, requiring them to expend significant energy to maintain high-speed flight and hovering. After drinking nectar from one flower, they can fly backward to another directly without turning around or changing direction. This saves time and energy.

Communication:

Hummingbirds also use backward flight for communication or interaction. For example, during courtship, male hummingbirds use backward flight to showcase their flying skills and stamina to attract the attention of females.

Escape:

Hummingbirds also use backward flight to escape threats or enemies. Because they can quickly change direction and speed, they can easily evade pursuers or attackers.