Question

A bird which is capable of flying backwards -
A. Crane
B. Penguin
C. Hummingbird
D. Albatross

Answer 1

Hint: It is also known as the smallest bird.

Complete answer:
Hummingbird is the smallest bird and the only bird that can fly backwards. When we observe the flight patterns of these birds, we can notice that they fly forwards, sideways, and backwards while also being capable of changing its in-flight direction. It can also perform various midair acrobatic maneuvers such as diving and hovering over a place for a long period of time. The backwards flight is usually observed when these birds retreat from one flower in order to move to another.
This is due to a unique ball and socket joint at the shoulder of the bird, that allows it to rotate its wings 180 degrees in all directions.The tips of the wings trace a figure eight pattern as the backward and forward wing strokes lift it.

Additional Information:
- The name "hummingbird" is given to the bird because of the humming sound created by their beating wings which flap at high frequency and this frequency is audible to humans.
- The hummingbird is native to North and South America. Its yearly migration from the eastern coast of the United States to Central America requires it to fly up to 1,300 miles. It completes this long journey without a break. It is believed that during migration it can fly up to 500 miles in a day.
- An average hummingbird feeds about five to eight times in an hour. Since it consumes almost half of its weight in sugar on a daily basis, it spends a fair amount of time foraging for nectar, fruit flies and insects. It has superior eyesight and is able to identify brightly colored flowers from a fair distance. Furthermore, it has a good memory and remembers primary feeding areas, and returns to them often.
- While they sleep they are in the Torpor phase. Often they hang upside down from branches, and this may be why people mistakenly believe them to be dead.
- Crane and albatross can not fly backwards because their shoulder joint can not support the backward movement.
- Penguins are birds and have wings also but these are designed for swimming not for flying. So penguins can not fly.

So, the correct answer is option (c) Hummingbird.

Note:
- Humans can detect sounds in a frequency range from about 20Hz - 20KHz.
- Depending on its size it can beat its wings between 8 to 200 times a second.
- Torpor phase - a state similar to hibernation.