{"id":11037,"date":"2022-04-25T14:18:13","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11037"},"modified":"2022-04-25T14:18:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:18:14","slug":"why-is-the-ability-to-hover-useful-to-a-hummingbird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/why-is-the-ability-to-hover-useful-to-a-hummingbird\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is The Ability To Hover Useful To A Hummingbird?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever seen a hummingbird hovering, you might have been amazed by the physical abilities of these tiny birds. But how do they do it? And why is the ability to hover useful to a hummingbird? Can they also fly backwards or in other directions? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer these questions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Hummingbirds Hover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hovering is one of a hummingbird\u2019s most natural movements. In fact, there is reason to believe that the first helicopter was designed after this unique ability of the hummingbird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why do hummingbirds hover? What is the benefit of hovering?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It appears that hummingbirds hover for a few different reasons, but the primary reason is that it allows them to move quickly in a variety of directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a hummingbird hovers, it is essentially hanging there in midair; it may appear to be stationary, but its wings are beating quickly. If a threat were to present itself, or if the hummingbird had some need to escape, it could simply fly away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This saves time from having to lift off if it were perched. It also allows the hummingbird to move backward, forward, sideways, up, or down more easily and quickly than it would be able to if it was starting from a perched position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummingbirds sometimes hover<\/a> while feeding, though this usually happens only when there is no good place to perch near the food source. It may also be the case when a less dominant bird is trying to feed while frequently being chased away by a more dominant bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is an opportunity to perch while feeding, hummingbirds appear to prefer perching over hovering. This is likely because hovering requires a greater amount of energy, so it is less efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Hummingbirds Hover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve discussed why hummingbirds hover, you may still be wondering, how do they do it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secret lies in their unique flight pattern, which is more similar to that of flying insects than other birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most birds flap their wings in a fairly straightforward up-and-down pattern, but a hummingbird\u2019s flapping pattern involves a lot more movement. Hummingbirds twist their wings as they flap forward and backward, as shown in the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gJ_T_Y1rxHw<\/a>