Wild Side: Ruby-throated hummingbird

A male ruby-throated hummingbird performs some pre-flight stretches at dawn in the Oak Openings area. Like a baseball pitcher warming up in the bullpen before throwing 90 mph fastballs, this tiny bird loosens up a bit before pushing those wingbeats up to an incredible 50 flaps per second or more, maybe well over 100 per second if he kicks it into high speed. That pre-flight routine also includes fanning tail feathers and stretching its neck.