And it is the only bird that can actually fly in reverse. The speed of the hummingbird s wings is another marvel. The fastest hummers may reach 90 or more strokes per second. When courting the male bird puts on a dazzling aerial exhibition. The hummingbird is also a fast mover, being clocked at 71 miles per hour.
Migratory species can also cover tremendous distances.
The ruby throated hummingbird, for example, will travel some 2,000 miles to it s winter quarters. North American Ruby Throated birds take a trip across the Gulf of Mexico during this hiatus, and they make this 500 mile trek in one non-stop flight. They have the ability to store fuel fat up to half their normal weight before this marathon journey. Hummingbirds have an incredible energy output and their food of choice is in the form of sugars. In fact, they consume half their weight in sugar every day.