See the Amazing Slo-Motion Footage of a Hummingbird Floating in Mid-Air

This stunning footage of a hummingbird hovering around a water station in a garden is a joy to watch. Not only does it show a hummingbird in real time but the footage is slowed down so that we can appreciate the beauty of those speedy wings! To make it even better, there is a hummingbird moth in the background. Scroll down to see this unique footage of these two incredible animals just inches apart from each other.

Watch the Stunning Clip Below

Where Do Hummingbirds Normally Live?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are a native species of both North and Central America. They spend the winter in southern Mexico, in Central America as far south as Costa Rica, and in the West Indies. When they are breeding, they like to spend time in deciduous and pine forests. However, they are also found in orchards and gardens. They spend their winter in tropical deciduous forests and citrus groves but they can also be seen in hedge grows and along rivers.

How Fast Do Hummingbirds Flap Their Wings?

Their wings can beat at anything between 50 and 200 beats per second. Different hummingbird species have different wing beat rates. Hummingbirds are most famous for their incredible speed and agility. They are the acrobats of the bird kingdom! We know that they can move through the air at between 30 and 60 mph. This makes them faster than many other birds despite their tiny size. They can travel so far because their bodies are lightweight, and they have a unique wing structure. It is also this wing structure that enables them to hover. It also enables them to fly backward and even upside down!

Hummingbirds can change direction in remarkably nimble maneuvers. Their stamina is also impressive and they have been known to make nonstop 500-mile journeys taking around 22 hours!

Why Do Hummingbirds Hover?

These guys need to be able to hover as they sip nectar from flowers. Their primary food source is floral nectar and small insects. If there is no floral nectar available, they will settle for tree sap instead. They have a preference for certain flowers including the red buckeye and jewelweed. The insect part of their diet is made up of mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies, and small bees. Although they will also eat spiders if they come across them.

Interestingly, ruby-throated hummingbirds are particularly attracted to red flowers!