Hummingbirds move at incredible speeds. One type can travel up to 60 miles per hour (97 kmh). How do hummingbirds navigate their surroundings when they are moving so fast? A new study from the National Academy of Scientists suggests they use visual cues to determine their distance from objects. These cues are more sophisticated than scientists expected. They tested the Anna’s hummingbird. They set up a flight chamber in their lab. The hummingbird flew up and down the chamber while images were projected on the walls. The birds seemed to guide themselves by noticing how objects changed in their view. An object that gets bigger indicates it’s getting closer. By using their eyes, these hummingbirds were able to avoid crashes.
