Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and fastest birds in the world. Their ability to hover and fly backwards sets them apart from other bird species. But just how fast can they go? Can a hummingbird really fly 60 miles per hour?
How Fast Do Hummingbirds Fly?
Most hummingbird species fly at speeds between 25-30 miles per hour in routine flight. However, they are capable of reaching much faster speeds for short bursts. Here are some key facts about hummingbird flight speed:
- The fastest measured speed for a hummingbird is around 60 miles per hour.
- During courtship dives, male hummingbirds can reach speeds over 50 mph.
- The smaller the hummingbird species, the faster they can flap their wings and fly.
- To escape predators, hummingbirds can accelerate to 40 mph very quickly.
So while 60 mph is towards the higher end of a hummingbird’s speed range, it is certainly within their capabilities.
What Allows Hummingbirds to Fly So Fast?
Hummingbirds have several unique anatomical adaptions that allow them to fly with great speed and agility:
- Wings – Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, the fastest of any bird. The faster the wings flap, the more power is generated for flight.
- Lightweight – Weighing only 2-20 grams, their small size contributes to rapid wing beating and faster flight.
- Aerodynamic body – Their streamlined, tapered bodies minimize air resistance.
- Powerful chest muscles – Up to 30% of their total body weight is flight muscle, which provides immense power.
- Rotating shoulders – They can rotate their shoulders to produce optimum lift on both the upstroke and downstroke.
These specializations give hummingbirds unmatched maneuverability and speed in flight relative to their body size.
Courtship Displays Reach Top Speeds
One context in which hummingbirds reach their highest recorded speeds is during courtship displays by the male. When diving in dramatic displays to impress a female, male hummingbirds can exceed 50 mph.
During these courtship dives, males ascend rapidly to 30-100 feet before diving at high speeds past the female in a blurred, rapid descent. This serves to showcase the male’s athleticism and fitness. The speed and sound of air rushing through the tail feathers also produces a musical chirping noise to further courtship.
Researchers used high speed cameras to record male Anna’s hummingbirds reaching 51 mph during these mating dives. This demonstrates how motivated and capable they are of reaching fast velocities to attract mates.
Escape Flight Allows Rapid Acceleration
Hummingbirds can also reach fast speeds when escaping from predators. In response to threats, hummingbirds are able to accelerate from 0 to 40 mph in less than a single second.
This rapid takeoff ability means they can evade threats effectively. Researchers used robotic predators simulated strikes on hummingbirds perched on a feeder. High-speed footage revealed the hummingbirds reached 40 mph quicker than one could blink an eye.
By expensing stored energy, hummingbirds can flee danger in a split second by accelerating to over 10 times their normal cruising speed.
Smaller Species Fly Faster
Within the different hummingbird species, the smaller their body size, the faster they can flap their wings and fly. The relationship between wingspan/weight and flight speed can be seen in the table below:
| Species | Wingspan | Weight | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bee hummingbird | 2.25 inches | 0.06 oz | 60 mph |
| Broad-tailed hummingbird | 3.75 inches | 0.1 oz | 51 mph |
| Rufous hummingbird | 3.5 inches | 0.2 oz | 42 mph |
| Blue-throated hummingbird | 5 inches | 0.4 oz | 35 mph |
With wings beating up to 200 times per second, the bee hummingbird is the smallest bird species in the world, and also capable of the fastest flight. The broader trend shows that for hummingbirds, smaller and lighter equals faster.
Conclusion
In summary, a hummingbird can certainly fly 60 miles per hour, even though their typical cruising speed during feedings and migration is 25-30 mph. During courtship displays or escape flights, these tiny birds can reach 50+ mph by flapping their wings at blazing frequencies to generate immense power and speed. Their specialized anatomy allows for some of the fastest aerodynamic maneuvers in nature. So if you see a speedy blur of green and red zooming by, it just might be a hummingbird going 60 mph!
