As Robert describes, I have also seen hummingbirds gliding for some moments,
many times over the years. And to my eye, they would not loose elevation while
gliding. They have the forward speed, aerodynamics, and super-light weight to
enable this.
Larry
On Jun 28, 2015, at 8:26 AM, Robert O'Brien <baro@xxxxxxx> wrote:
In many decades of birding I've seen hummers glide many times. Rare but not
super rare. Aerodynamically no different than a paper airplane. The
faster the forward speed the shallower the glide because of more lift under
the wings
Bob obrien carver or
On Saturday, June 27, 2015, kent@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:kent@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
<kent@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:kent@xxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I was in my backyard in Southeast Portland the other day and an Anna’s
Hummingbird was making its way around the garden dining on flower nectar.
Occasionally it would fly up to a tree and perch for a moment or two and
then return to the garden. This particular one glided several times for
about 10-14 feet as it descended at about a 45 degree angle, it’s wings
completely outstretched and fixed. When it neared flowers it resumed its
rapid wingbeat to hover. I’ve been a fairly avid birder for 40+ years and
have never seen this behavior before.
Has anyone else observed or heard of this before?
-Kent, Portland, OR
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