The stouthearted moms fearlessly protect their nests. Hummingbirds can catch insect on the wing. They hover behind and below their prey, then snatch it out of the air by darting forward and upward. Hummingbirds sing with their hands. It is the humming of their wings that gives them their name.
Hummers can preform extraordinary aerobatics because of their unique anatomy.
Most hummerbird bones are porous, but some, like their wing and leg bones, are hollow. A keel shaped sternum allows greater area for the attachment of hugh flight muscles. In a sense, they almost fly with their hands. Hummingbirds have a highly efficent respiratory system which includes 9 internal air sacs connected to their lungs by tubes. These air sacs, along with panting help keep them cool.