Which bird is known for its ability to fly backwards?

The hummingbird is the bird famous for being able to fly backwards.

This unusual skill comes from the hummingbird’s highly maneuverable wings. Unlike most birds, which generate most of their lift on the downstroke, hummingbirds rotate their wings through a near-horizontal figure-eight pattern. That lets them hover, move sideways, rise vertically, and reverse away from a flower while still facing it.

Backward flight is useful during feeding. A hummingbird can approach a blossom, hover while inserting its bill and tongue, then retreat without turning around. This control is powered by an exceptionally high metabolism and large flight muscles, which make up roughly a quarter of its body weight in some estimates.

Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and include more than 300 species. Their name comes from the humming sound produced by rapidly beating wings, not from their vocal call. Wingbeat rates vary widely by species and activity, but the smallest hummingbirds can beat their wings dozens of times per second. Other birds may drift or be pushed briefly backward, but hummingbirds are the classic example of sustained, controlled backward flight.