Cracking the Code: Unveiling the Secrets of Hummingbirds' Agility

Scientists have discovered that hummingbirds have two different strategies to navigate through gaps smaller than their wingspan. Using video recordings, researchers observed that hummingbirds either swept back their wings against their body and paused their flapping to rapidly pass through the aperture like a bullet, or they took a slower approach by rolling their body and turning their head to pass sideways through the hole while continuing to flap. The birds tended to use the bullet approach more often, regardless of the size and shape of the aperture. This research sheds light on how hummingbirds can adjust their posture and fly through tiny spaces, showcasing their remarkable aerial agility.