Hummingbird

HIGH-SPEED HUMMINGBIRD

Hummingbirds beat their wings faster than any other bird…up to 200 wingbeats per second. This is possible due to their light bone structure and highly developed pectoral muscles.

Hummingbird flight is characterized by the ability to move in all directions – even reverse - in a fraction of a second. They can even hover! The hummingbird’s wingtips form a figure 8 in the air, providing high flight stability. The humming bird owes its aerial prowess to the ratio of its wing length to their width and to its shoulder joints, which allow its wings to rotate, giving it enormous flexibility.

Researchers have used hummingbird flight for inspiration to create small flapping-winged drones. Research under way shows that these drones are much easier to handle and more effective in small spaces than rotor-powered ones.

Stationary flight is common to hummingbirds and helicopters. Research teams are analyzing the ratio between the hummingbird’s wing length and their width to optimize helicopter blades and improve their performance.

For more information on the animal:
What Is a Hummingbird?

For more information on the technology:
Hummingbird Nano Air Vehicle