Birds that can hover in mid-air fascinate us. The ability to stay suspended, wings flapping, seems to defy gravity. If you’re wondering which avian species can achieve this feat, you’ve come to the right place.
In short, there are four main types of birds that are able to hover for extended periods: hummingbirds, kestrels, kingfishers, and some species of hawk.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the remarkable hovering abilities of these birds. You’ll learn which physical and behavioral adaptations allow them to hover, see pictures and videos, and find out why they use this behavior when hunting and feeding.
Hummingbirds
Physical Attributes That Enable Hovering
Hummingbirds have unique physical attributes that allow them to hover in place while feeding. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second, the fastest of any bird. This rapid wing movement generates the lift necessary to stay suspended.
Hummingbirds also have lightweight skeletons and powerful flight muscles that comprise up to 25% of their total body weight. This is the largest proportion of flight muscle compared to overall size of all birds species (1).
Another key physical feature is the rotation capability of the hummers wings at their shoulders. They can rotate their wings in a full circle that facilitates hovering. This is different from the limited back and forward flapping motion of most birds.
Finally, hummingbirds have long, blade-shaped wings with short arm bones relative to the overall size of the wing. This further optimizes lift generation (2).
Hovering Behavior When Feeding
While hummingbirds have the ability to fly rapidly over long distances, much of their active feeding time is spent hovering in front of flowers as they lick nectar using their long tongue that extends deep into the trumpet-shaped blossoms.
Their rapid wing movement necessary for sustained hovering means they have a very fast metabolism. Hummingbirds must consume approximately half their body weight in nectar each day in order to avoid starvation (3).
Because of this high energy demand, they select nectar sources carefully and will return regularly to flowers that provide an optimal energy boost.
Interestingly, motion sensitivity experiments have shown that hummingbirds are able to visually detect movement in less than 20 thousandths of a second (4). This instant sensory feedback allows hummingbirds to rapidly respond to disturbances while hovering and maintain their position perfectly still mid-air as they feed.
Interesting Facts and Statistics
While most hummingbird species are found only in the Americas, a few species live as far north as Alaska or as far south as Chile (5). While hummingbird populations overall are thought to be declining, these unique birds remain widespread. Their range spans over 100 countries and territories.
Some interesting statistics on hummingbird attributes include:
- Nearly 1,100 documented species exist worldwide, comprising the 2nd largest family of birds – Trochilidae (6)
- The Bee Hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird, averaging 5-6 centimeters in length and weighing around 2 grams (7)
- Andean Hillstars have been recorded living at elevations of over 15,000 feet in the Andes Mountains (8)
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can beat their wings up to 200 times per second during courtship dives (9)
- The Rufous Hummingbird makes the longest yearly migration of any hummingbird species – around 3,900 miles between Alaska and Mexico (10)
Kestrels
Wing Adaptations for Hovering
Kestrels have uniquely adapted wings that allow them to hover while hunting for prey. Their wings are long, narrow, and pointed which reduces drag and allows them to beat their wings rapidly without expending as much energy (source).
The wing loading, or ratio of body weight to wing area, is also relatively low allowing them to generate more lift (source). Furthermore, kestrels have secondary flight feathers at the wingtips that help stabilize and steer them during hovering.
Hover-Hunting for Prey
Kestrels utilize their unique hovering abilities to spot and capture prey on the ground. They will flap their wings vigorously, facing into the wind, to maintain position while scanning the fields and grasslands below for small mammals like voles and mice.
Once spotted, they swiftly dive down and snatch up the prey in their talons. Their ability to hunt by hovering, unlike most other raptors, allows them to find prey in areas most birds can’t efficiently scan like dense bushes or tall grass.
This gives kestrels a competitive advantage over other small birds of prey.
Unique Hovering Abilities
Of all the raptors, kestrels are uniquely adapted for efficient hovering flight. A 2022 study found that kestrels can hover up to 56% longer than larger birds of prey like peregrine falcons while beating their wings 25% faster (up to 25 full wingbeats per second!) (source).
They accomplish this by optimizing their flight muscles for rapid bursts of activity and by swinging their lightweight wings through a wide 110° arc on each beat. Their rapid wingbeats and aerial maneuvers require fast-twitch muscle fibers and a huge amount of energy relative to the bird’s size, making the kestrel’s ability to hover-hunt truly remarkable in the bird world!
Kingfishers
Morphological Adaptations
Kingfishers have several unique physical adaptations that aid their specialized fish-hunting lifestyle. Their streamlined bodies minimize drag while diving, with plumage coloration that provides camouflage near water.
Kingfishers have proportionately large heads and sharp, pointed beaks ideal for catching fish – some species even have reddish or orange bills that sharply contrast with water to help attract prey.
Most kingfishers have short legs and tiny feet, with two toes pointing forward and two back – an arrangement called zygodactyl that provides a superior perching grip while watchfully waiting above streams and rivers. Their toes have sharp claws for gaining purchase on slippery fish.
Vision is key for targeting prey, and kingfishers have forward-facing eyes offering precise depth perception and spatial judgment.
Hovering Over Water to Catch Fish
The most spectacular hunting behavior of kingfishers involves hovering in place above water, then plunge-diving to snatch up unsuspecting fish or aquatic insects in their beaks. Scientists believe kingfishers are able to achieve such graceful yet explosive flight maneuvers thanks to unique physiological adaptations.
Researchers at the San Diego Diving Birds Research Institute used CT scanning to reveal kingfishers have solid vertebrae in their necks – unlike most other birds where neck bones are separated by porous, air-filled spaces.
This extra structural reinforcement likely helps brace kingfishers against the intense forces of water impact when plunge diving at up to 24 mph.
Species Highlights
With about 90 colorful species worldwide, kingfishers demonstrate a dazzling variety of size, plumage, behavior and habitat preferences. For example, familiar North American belted kingfishers measure 11-14 inches and nest in riverbanks, whereas colossal Megaceryle maxima giants in Africa can reach 17 inches and consume prey nearly half their own body length!
The vast majority of kingfishers live alone or in breeding pairs near slow-moving freshwater habitats, but a few unique species thrive in unusual settings. White-collared kingfishers occupy dry forests far from water in Southeast Asia, red-backed kingfishers nest in termite mounds on the ground in Australia, and the Guam kingfisher survives today only in captive breeding programs after habitat destruction and invasive snakes pushed it to the brink of extinction.
Kingfisher Species | Body Length | Habitat |
Belted Kingfisher | 11-14 inches | Rivers, lakes |
White-collared Kingfisher | 7 inches | Dry forests |
Guam Kingfisher | 8 inches | Captive only |
Hawks
Broad Wings Enable Hovering
Many hawks have broad, rounded wings that allow them to soar effortlessly and hover in place while searching for prey below. Their wing shape gives them a large surface area relative to their weight, providing the lift needed to expend minimal energy during flight.
Several hovering hawk species have wingspans of up to 4-5 feet wide. Amazingly, these expert flyers manipulate the angle of their widespread wings and tail to steady themselves against wind gusts. This makes hovering possible even on breezier days.
In-Flight Hunting Strategy
Hovering in midair allows hawks to closely scan the landscape and detect the movements of potential prey. Once spotted, they fold their wings and dive swiftly to seize their target with their powerful talons.
Many species like the red-tailed hawk will hover 20-60 feet above open fields, while others like the sharp-shinned hawk will hover lower in dense brush. An intriguing recent study found that red-tailed hawks plan their attacks based on the escape abilities of prey they sight below.
Notable Hovering Species
Many buteos such as red-tailed, red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks are adept hoverers. These common raptors use the skill to regularly hunt mice, snakes and other small game. Here are examples of three other awesome hawks known for hovering:
- Cooper’s Hawk – Feeding mostly on birds, these crow-sized raptors are lightning-fast flyers that stealthily chase prey through trees and narrow spaces.
- Northern Harrier – Having the largest owl-like facial discs of any hawk, harriers are specialist mouse and vole hunters. They hover low over open marshes and grasslands listening for prey activity.
- Sharp-Shinned Hawk – Masters of acceleration and maneuverability, “sharpies” crash through dense thickets chasing small woodland birds at top speeds.
Species | Wingspan | Prey |
Red-Tailed Hawk | 4-5 ft | Mammals, birds, reptiles |
Cooper’s Hawk | 2-3 ft | Birds, small mammals |
Northern Harrier | 3-4 ft | Voles, mice, birds |
Researchers estimate that hawks save U.S. farmers billions per year by controlling agricultural pest species like mice and rabbits. So while the hovering hunters are feared by smaller birds and mammals, they provide an invaluable service to humans.
Conclusion
Hovering sets certain bird species apart, allowing them to feed and hunt in their distinct niches. Hummingbirds, kestrels, kingfishers, and hawks have evolved amazing anatomical and behavioral adaptations that enable them to stay suspended mid-air.
Understanding what makes these avians unique only deepens our appreciation for the wonders of nature. We hope this guide gave you new insight into birds that can achieve the incredible feat of hovering.