Indeed, there is even a species called the Bee Hummingbird that is merely 5 centimeters long and earns the title of world's smallest bird. Just awonderin :) Smaller hummingbirds beat their wings faster to stay aloft because of a smaller surface area to support their weight. These feathered little freaks can fly in extraordinary ways -- almost like a hybrid between bird and insect thanks to their speed, agility and small stature. read more There was once another species that basically flew backwards, yet they're believed to be extinct. (Not Even Close) — Wings So Fast They Sing Like Violins ; EDITORIAL: Newly Uncovered Secret Rules Allowing FBI To Spy on Journalists Are Outrageous ‘Secret’ Federal Agency Admits Killing 3.2 Million Wild Animals in U.S. Last Year Alone In just one minute they can flap their wings 50 times, have their heart beat 1200 times, and take 250 breaths of air. Discover how hummingbirds get around so quickly with information from a national wildlife steward in this free video on bird life. Science Graphic of the Week: Hummingbird Wing Aerodynamics. Hummingbirds beat their wings from 8-200 times per second. Hummingbirds can flap their wings as fast as 52 wing beats per second, which enables them to stay in the air flying forward, backwards, sideways, up and down. Sooo the hummingbirds wings flap really really fast to help them stay afloat whilst getting the pollen, but when they migrate do their wings still go at such a rate??? Hummingbirds consistently flap rapid through fact they don't waft like maximum birds do, they actually fly, like consistently flapping flying. Song, J. et al/ Royal Society Interface . This article has been corrected. somewhat greater factoid, they're additionally the only birds that would fly backwards. Hummingbirds that are diving also beat their wings faster than in typical, level flight. So how do hummingbirds do it? Ya’ Think Hummingbirds Have the Fastest Birds Wings? Animals Fact: Hummingbirds do everything fast. Or do they have the ability to flap slower?