Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are masters of flight
Hummingbirds can beat their wings dozens of times per second, creating a humming noise:
- Fine-tuned flying: These birds can instantly accelerate to full speed, then quickly stop and hover in place while adjusting their position in any direction.
- Food fights: Males fiercely defend food sources and battle intruders in midair, often resulting in epic hovering fights with other hummingbirds—or less epic clashes with bumblebees.
- Incredible journey: Most ruby-throated hummingbirds spend winter in Central America. During migration, some will cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight (the shortest route across is 500 miles).
Support for Bird the Preserves was generously provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through Chicago Wilderness.