Birds That Fly Backwards

Have you ever wondered if there are any birds that fly backwards? If you can’t quite believe it, buckle in, because we’re about to shock you! Some birds do indeed fly backwards, but this isn’t a widespread anomaly by any means. Instead, this skill is unique to one bird species, with a few other species being able to flutter backwards for a second or two.

Which birds can fly backwards?

If you’re wondering if there are any birds that fly backwards, the answer is yes! However, there is only species of bird that is able to fly backwards – and that is hummingbirds!

Only hummingbirds can fly backwards for a significant amount of time. In fact, hummingbirds also have the ability to fly upside down. This is all down to how their wings are structured. They have a ball and socket joint (known as a rotator cuff) that allows for a greater span of movement, freeing their wings up to move in all directions. As well as allowing them to move their wings in a figure of 8 movement that means they can hover in one spot; this is what lets them fly backwards. The unique way their wings are formed is unlike the muscles and build of most birds’ wings, which can only move in a way that propels them forwards. 

If you’ve ever seen a hummingbird fly, you’ll know they are quite the acrobats. You can see how they utilise their ability to move backwards in the video below.

You might think you have seen other birds flying backwards, but this is probably due to the wind pushing them, creating an illusion of sorts. Some birds, like warblers, egrets, and herons can fly backwards briefly, but usually only defensively when other birds or predators are trying to get to them. The way their wings are makes it impossible for them to sustain this for very long.

Why can hummingbirds fly backwards?

Flying backwards is a necessity for hummingbirds. As well as eating berries and insects such as ants, aphids, and beetles, hummingbirds rely on nectar to sustain themselves. This provides the energy they need to keep up with their high metabolism and acts as their main water source to keep them hydrated[i].

Their ability to fly backwards, side-to-side, and change direction without much effort means they can easily move from flower to flower without any hassle. Furthermore, since hummingbirds can manoeuvre with such ease, they can collect nectar a lot faster and more efficiently than they would if they could only fly forwards like other birds.

Do hummingbirds live in the UK?

Unfortunately, you can’t find hummingbirds in the wild in the UK. They are also a difficult breed to keep in captivity as they don’t thrive in enclosed areas, so only a handful of zoos across Britain have them. However, they are native to the Americas[ii], and they have a varied habitat – living in mountains, woodlands, rainforests, and deserts, and they can even be found in urban areas. As long as there are plenty of flowers, they can survive quite easily.

There are usually a few ‘sightings’ reported each year in the UK, but these are always mistakes. Usually, the person who thinks they have seen a hummingbird has actually seen a Hummingbird hawkmoth – a moth with a bizarrely striking resemblance to the bird[iii].

A species of Hummingbird hawkmoth in Greece

Even though hummingbirds are off the cards, there are plenty of unique bird species you can find in your garden in the UK. Boost the biodiversity of your outdoor space by learning how to attract garden birds by providing ample food, shelter, and protection from predators.

Sources

  [i] https://www.thespruce.com/what-do-hummingbirds-eat-386568

[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird

[iii] https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/how-to-identify-birds/hummingbirds-and-hawkmoths/