Thanks, Mikey, for posting the information on the Hummingbird; an interesting read. They are amazing little birds and a wonder to watch. My father had one that would always come to his birdfeeder, thus giving him some joy and comfort in his last years. Unusual to see Hum- mingbirds in Wyoming since the altitude is so high and of course the wind blows much of the time; not really an area that is con- ducive to these winged beauties. There is a beautiful desert area with a spacious enclosure at the zoo that has a variety of Hummingbirds within it as well as other interesting creatures whose habitat is similar in structure and humidity. I have enjoyed the peacefulness of the exhibit several times since the opening a few years back. Thanks for including the sites. Regards, Glenda >The only bird that can fly backwards is the Hummingbird, which can also fly >up, down, and sideways, as well as hovering in one place. >These tiny, fast fliers have wing muscles that make up about one third of >their entire mass. > >Hummingbirds have evolved a flying style that resembles that of bumblebees >and hawk moths. Like the insects, the motion of their wings resembles the >movement of a helicopter's rotors, but instead of >rotating around they trace a flattened, sideways figure-8. The wings' >internal joints are fused together and the only bending happens at the >bird's shoulders. > >To fly backwards, sideways, or forward a hummingbird slightly changes the >angle at which the wings are held. When hovering in place the bird makes >extremely tiny adjustments to compensate for changing breezes. They can >also fly straight up or enter a power dive at up >to 50 miles per hour (80 kph). > >More about hummingbirds: >http://www.portalproductions.com/h/ >http://www.hummingbird.org/ > >Regards, > >Mikey. >Spectemur Agendo.