Re: How Hummingbirds Hover...

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

I missed the first of this thread, so am not sure of the context -- but it 
might be worth mentioning that the technique by which hummingbirds hover is 
quite different from the method used by kestrals and most other hovering 
birds.  Most birds hover by means of full alternating momentum reversal (the 
flutter stroke).  Hummingbirds don't.
JimC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Lauret" <zthemanvirus@hotmail.com>
To: "the list" <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 7:00 AM
Subject: RE: How Hummingbirds Hover...


Well,

I think that could be applied to kestrels in general (perhaps with the 
exception of island varieties, such as the Mauritius kestrel. Does anyone 
know if that species hovers?) At least the European kestrel, Falco 
tinunculus, performs the same acts of aerial acrobacy you just described. I 
have personally observed members of this species doing just that.

Brian



> Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 22:55:16 -0500> From: Danvarner@aol.com> Subject: 
> Re: How Hummingbirds Hover...> To: dinosaur@usc.edu> CC: 
> xrciseguy@sbcglobal.net> > Interesting. Today I observed a Red-Tailed Hawk 
> hovering in a stiff breeze. > The Rough-Legged Hawk is well known for 
> this, but, to my mind, nothing > matches Falco spaverius, the American 
> Kestrel ( should be called the Sparrow Falcon > IMHO ) for hovering dead 
> still in turbulent and extremely gusty wind > conditions. Hummingbird, 
> Schmumingbird. DV >
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