Hummingbirds are small birds in the family Trochilidae.

They are distinguished by their ability to hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings, 15 to 80 times per second.

They are named for the characteristic hum made by their wings, and are the only birds that can deliberately fly backwards.

Hummingbirds are attracted to many flowering plants—shrimp plants, fuchsias, many penstemons—especially those with red flowers.

They feed on the nectar of these plants and are important pollinators, especially of deep-throated flowers.

Most species of hummingbird also take insects, especially when feeding young..

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