Birds have evolved over millions of years to develop different types of flight to suit their environments and lifestyles. Most birds fly by flapping their wings up and down or gliding on air currents. However, some unique birds have mastered the ability to hover and fly vertically like helicopters!
Many people are familiar with common birds that flap their wings to fly, such as sparrows, eagles and seagulls. But only a small number of birds can truly hover or fly vertically. This allows them to move freely in any direction, stop in mid-air, and even fly backwards – just like helicopters! So which amazing birds have evolved this helicopter-like flight?
Hovering Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are the most famous helicoptering birds. Their unique ability to hover while drinking nectar from flowers is well-known. Hummingbirds have specially adapted wings that allow them to beat their wings up to 80 times per second, creating the lift required to stay suspended. To hover, hummingbirds rotate their wings in a horizontal plane compared to other birds that flap vertically. Some key adaptations enable this, such as proportionally larger chest muscles compared to body size. This gives their wings the power needed for non-stop flapping.
Marvelous Swifts
Swifts are another group of birds that have mastered hovering and vertical flight. There are around 100 species of swifts around the world, all displaying amazing aerial abilities. Like hummingbirds, swifts have short broad wings ideal for generating lift. One key difference is swifts only need to flap their wings around 10 times per second to hover, enabling them to conserve energy. Some species like the Chimney Swift even sleep on the wing by entering a state of torpor!
Unique Adaptations for Helicoptering
Hovering hummingbirds and swifts share some key adaptations that enable their helicopter-like flight:
| Adaptation | Description |
|---|---|
| Short, broad wings | Generates lift needed to stay airborne with minimal flapping |
| Lightweight skeleton | Reduces energy needed for flapping flight |
| Rotating wrist joint | Allows wings to flap in a horizontal plane |
| Enlarged chest muscles | Provides power to flap wings non-stop |
These adaptations allow hummingbirds and swifts to hover and manipulate their flying directions with great precision and agility.
Benefits of Helicoptering Flight
The ability to hover and fly vertically gives hummingbirds and swifts unique advantages:
Energy Efficiency
Hummingbirds and swifts spend most of their time in flight. Hovering expends a lot of energy, but is more efficient than flapping between locations.
Foraging Flexibility
Hovering allows hummingbirds and swifts to carefully inspect flowers and crevices for food.
Maneuverability
Helicoptering flight allows rapid darting between locations and ability to move in any direction.
Mid-air Stability
Hovering creates mid-air stability, allowing hummingbirds and swifts to rest while sleeping or eating.
Predator Avoidance
Excellent maneuverability gives hummingbirds and swifts an advantage escaping from predators.
Other Birds Capable of Hovering
While hummingbirds and swifts are the best known helicoptering birds, some other species also share this ability:
Kingfishers
These colorful fishing birds can hover briefly while hunting for fish.
Kestrels
Small falcons like the American Kestrel sometimes hover while scanning the ground for prey.
Terns
Terns use hovering or vertical flight to spot and dive for fish.
Nighthawks
These nocturnal birds display erratic hovering flight when feeding on insects.
Hovering Birds vs Helicopters
There are some key similarities and differences between birds that hover and mechanical helicopters:
| Hovering Birds | Helicopters |
|---|---|
| Flap wings horizontally to generate lift | Use rotating blades to generate lift |
| Rotate wrists to achieve wing angle | Alter blade angles with swash plate |
| Maneuver by manipulating wing angles | Maneuver by controlling cyclic pitch |
| Constant flapping requires energy | Engine provides constant power |
| Generate own power through metabolism | Burn fuel to run engine |
This comparison shows nature inspiring engineering solutions to vertical flight. Both hovering birds and helicopters serve as excellent examples of complex flight abilities.
Famous Helicoptering Birds
Some individual hummingbirds and swifts are famous for pushing the limits of hovering flight:
Anna’s Hummingbird
This common West Coast hummingbird is known for audibly popping or chirping as it hovers.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Males perform spectacular U-shaped diving displays during courtship.
Rivoli’s Hummingbird
One of the largest and most colorful hummingbirds capable of high-speed dives.
White-throated Needletail
Holds the record as the world’s fastest bird, reaching over 105 mph in a dive.
Common Swift
Known to stay airborne for nearly a year, eating and sleeping while flying.
Chimney Swift
Roosts communally in large groups in vertical hollow structures.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds and swifts are uniquely adapted birds capable of true hovering and helicopter-like flight. They demonstrate evolution’s ingenuity in developing flight abilities to suit different lifestyles and environments. Other birds may hover briefly, but only hummingbirds and swifts can sustain this energetically costly mode of flight. Their specialized wings, muscle adaptations and flying skills allow them to stop and feed mid-air as well as maneuver better than other birds. So next time you see a blur zip by, look closely – it just might be a tiny feathered helicopter!
