The hummingbird

The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backward.
He can fly straight up and down and sideways, too.
He can even fly when he is upside down!
And perhaps strangest of all,
He can fly without going anywhere.
He is like a tiny helicopter.

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.
There are many kinds, and they are all beautiful.
They are like jewels with wings.
Though they are tiny, they are brave!

A hummingbird seems to know
That his enemies cannot catch him.
He will fight anything.
He can even scare a hawk!

A hummingbird eats 50 or 60 meals a day.
He flashes from flower to flower.
He sticks his long bill into a flower and sips the nectar.
The sugar in nectar gives
The little birds their great strength and energy.

The ruby-throated hummingbird needs
All the strength and energy he can get.
For every winter this hummingbird makes an amazing flight.
First he eats and eats to store up food.
He gets quite fat.
Then he leaves home.
Off he flies for days and days.
He flies 500 miles across the ocean to get to a warm place.
No one knows how small a bird
Can fly so far without food or rest.
But the ruby-throat does it every year.
Bigger birds can fly farther.
But the ruby-throat is less than 8cm long.

Our friend the ostrich is the biggest bird.
He is a good walker and great runner.
But he cannot fly at all.
It is strange that the smallest bird flies everywhere.
Even to move 2cm he flies.
He cannot walk.
He does not have to.
He can get there faster with those wonderful wings!