Book 4, Question 66
Why Do Hummingbirds Hover?
Hovering lets a hummingbird drink from a flower that cannot hold its weight! The bird is a tiny helicopter with a straw. It hangs in the air while it sips.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 4
More fun facts
- Hummingbirds can hover in midair while they drink from flowers.
- While hovering, their wings beat so fast they look like a gray blur.
- There are about 340 kinds of hummingbirds, including the bee hummingbird, the world's smallest bird.
- The calliope hummingbird weighs about 2.5 grams, less than an ounce.
- Hummingbirds also hover to catch small flying insects to eat and feed to their babies.
- Scientists have studied how hummingbirds hover and fly through narrow spaces without bumping into things.
Sources: National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian, BBC
Questions kids ask
Do hummingbirds only drink nectar?
No. They also hover to catch small flying insects.