How fast can a hummingbird fly?

Hummingbirds are very tiny birds, about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long, with long bills and tongues to sip nectar from tubular flowers. Because they are light—they only weigh about one-tenth of an ounce—they are skilled air acrobats. They can fly in every direction, even upside down, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) per hour. To keep up its energy level, a hummingbird eats every 15 to 20 minutes and may visit up to 1,000 flowers per day.