Hummingbird

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hummingbird

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

HUM-ing-berd  /ˈhʌmɪŋbɜːd/

Definition

A very small bird of the family Trochilidae, native to the Americas, capable of hovering and flying backwards, with extremely rapid wing beats that produce a humming sound, and typically feeding on nectar.

Plain meaning

A hummingbird is a tiny bird found only in the Americas that can hover in mid-air and fly in any direction — including backwards. Its wings beat so fast (up to eighty times per second) that they produce a humming sound, which gives the bird its name. Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and are important pollinators.

Register

Neutral. Hummingbird is standard in natural history, ornithology, ecology, and everyday usage. It is also used figuratively to describe things that move very quickly and with great energy.