naure.com
AnimalsSurprise 4/5Difficulty 2/5Reviewed on September 13, 2026

The hummingbird is the only bird capable of flying backwards.

Why it is true

The hummingbird has a unique wing structure that allows it to rotate its wing at an angle that generates lift both forwards and backwards. It can hover in the air, fly backwards and even upside down. It is the only known bird with this ability.

Source: National Geographic

Would you rather be asked first?

This is the reading side of the site, so the answer is in the sentence above — that is the whole point of it. Test yourself works the other way round: the question comes on its own, and the fact and the explanation only appear once you have answered.

Test yourself →10-question challenge

Related facts

More in Animals

See all →