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The surprising secrets of hummingbird flight - Kristiina J. Hurme & Alejandro Rico-Guevara

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TEDEd Animation

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In just a matter of seconds, hummingbirds can perform astonishing aerial acrobatics, eat lunch in midair, pollinate a flower, even escape threats while upside-down. And they can do this all while achieving sustained hovering flight— an aerial feat no other bird can perform. How do they do it? Kristiina J. Hurme and Alejandro Rico-Guevara explore the incredible flying capabilities of hummingbirds.

A hummingbird’s heart beats very quickly, especially during hovering, during which hummingbirds flap their wings faster than we can see. How do you think this heart rate will compare to those of other birds, such as a vulture or a robin?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alejandro Rico-Guevara, Kristiina J. Hurme
  • Director Lisa Vertudaches
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Lisa Vertudaches
  • Animator Lisa Vertudaches, Amy Charlick
  • Compositor Lisa Vertudaches
  • Art Director Lisa Vertudaches, Nick Rees
  • Composer Phil Brookes
  • Sound Designer Phil Brookes
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma
  • Supplementary Materials Writer Alyssa Sargent

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