Hovering Wings

  Hovering wings are short, broad, and fast-moving. In addition to the wing’s shape and size, the bird has nerves and muscles specially adapted for fast movement.

  The ruby-throated hummingbird might appear to float in space while sipping nectar and hovering from flower to flower thanks to its quick and mighty wings. Hummingbirds’ wings beat at an astonishing rate of 50 to 80 times per second. These birds play an important role in pollination. As they hover near flowers to feed, their wings generate a breeze that aids in the transfer of pollen.

  While hummingbirds hover to collect nectar from flowers, kestrels and some kingfishers hover to look for prey. Regardless, birds with these specialized wings use them to find food.