hover
Hummingbirds have an impressive ability to hover in one spot for long periods of time, an adaptation that allows them to feed on nectar from flowers and keep predators at bay. But how exactly do they manage to hover?
Simply put, hummingbirds use a combination of flapping their wings incredibly quickly and adjusting their tail feathers to maintain their position in midair. This combination gives them the ability to lift themselves up, move forward, and even hover in a single spot.
When hovering, a hummingbird flaps its wings anywhere from 50-200 times per second. This creates a vortex of high-pressure air over the wings which helps to keep the bird suspended in the air. This airflow keeps the hummingbird from descending rapidly and provides just enough lift to keep them hovering in place.
Hummingbirds also use their tail feathers to fine-tune and adjust their hovering position. By changing the angle of their tail feathers and adjusting the pressure behind and under their wings, hummingbirds can move up, down and to either side very precisely in order to position themselves in front of their preferred food source or to evade their predators.
All of this relies on the hummingbird's strength, agility, and endurance. Not only does a hummingbird have to provide enough power from its wings to keep itself suspended in the air, it also has to be light enough so that it can make minute adjustments in its positioning. This is why hummingbirds are usually very small and light-weight.
In summary, hummingbirds hover in the air by flapping their wings incredibly quickly and adjusting their tails to maintain their position. This combination of speed and agility gives them the ability to stay in one spot for long periods of time and avoid predators while they feed on flowers.