What is the highest wingbeat frequency (WBF) recorded for hummingbirds during hovering? To my knowledge the highest is 80 wingbeat per sec for the Bee hummingbird (Calypte helenae) (Greenewalt 1960). Are there publications that I'm not aware of with registrations of higher WBF for hummingbirds hovering?
According to the Handbook of the birds of the World, Volume 5, wingbeat rates of up to 200 per second have been recorded in Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) and Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), albeit during courtship. Sadly, the HBW does not give orginal sources in the text and one has to scan through the whole reference section to find them. Alternatively, you might contact the author of the Hummingbird chapter (Prof. Schuchmann's email is available through www.zfmk.de). I hope this information helps.
Kind regards
Darius
Darius, thank you for your information. I have also seen from litterature that up to 200 per second has been recorded for active flight. I will try contact Prof. Schucmann.
Best regards,
Ronny
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