Most hummingbirds weight less than a nickel. Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal. They are the only birds that can fly sideways and backwards. They hover expertly, too. These are just some of the amazing hummingbird facts mentioned in this episode of Deep Look.
Watch as these tiny creatures beat their unique wings up to 80 times a second in a wind tunnel. Thanks to high speed cameras, we can see just how much effort and skill they use to fly steadily in turbulent weather conditions, and how their able to do it. A few gifs via KQED:
In the archives: More hummingbirds, including:
• The Hummingbird Training Center
• A spinning hummingbird shaking off raindrops
• Hummingbirds fly, shake, and drink in slow motion
• Hummingbird Battleground in the Talamanca Mountains
Plus, the inspirational story by Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai: I will be a hummingbird.
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