How Fast Is Hummingbird Flight?

Hummingbirds hover by beating their wings 80 times per second. In courtship dives they reach 97 km/h. They are the only birds that can fly truly backwards, and their hearts beat 1,260 times per minute during flight.

A hummingbird heart beats 1,260 times per minute during flight — about 21 beats every second.

• Wings beat 80 times per second
• The only bird that can fly backwards