Why can't Birds fly backwards?

Answer 1

Because they wouldn't be able to see where they were going!


BUT SERIOUSLY...
As the wing twists, and as the outer part of the wing moves downward, the lift force in the outer part of the wing is angled forward. This is what would happen if the whole bird went into a steep dive. However, only the wing is moving downward, not the whole bird. Therefore the bird can generate a large amount of forward propulsive force or thrust, without any loss of altitude. The air is not only deflected downward, but also to the rear. The air is forced backward just as it would be by the propeller of an airplane. You can feel this blast of air when a bird takes off from your hand.

Answer 2

A large number of birds can, hummingbirds are the most obvious, generally it would not make sense or birds have no need to, flying forwards is easier. When a bird comes in to land on say a twig it actually flies backwards to stop its forward motion, the fact that the bird only continues this backwards flying (braking) until it has stopped or slowed does not mean it cannot fly backwards. Additionally the birds wing is so well developed for flying forwards that backwards motion is probably very tiring, try running backwards, it can be done but you'd rather run forwads.

There are obviously some birds that cannot fly backwards at all, such as albatross, and generally most larger birds, although they fly backwards to break they need to still be flying forwards at a decent speed to stay airborne.

Answer 3

Most birds can't fly backwards because the wing of a bird, or any wing, can only work in one direction, due to the fact that it has to be assymetrical, front to back. Hummingbirds fly backwards in kind of the same way that a helocopter does.....it's wings flap quick enough that it can hover and go backwards. Some birds can fake going backwards by hovering in a stiff wind.....their wings keep them from going forward at the same time as the wind is pushing them backwards. Also, some small aircraft can fly backwards by using minimal power in a strong headwind.

Answer 4

Actually, that's not entirely true. A hummingbird can rotate each of its wings in a circle, allowing them to be the only bird which can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways or sit in sheer space. To hover, hummingbirds move their wings forward and backward in a repeated figure eight, much like the arms of a swimmer treading water. Hummingbirds can move instantaneously in any direction, start from its perch at full speed, and doesn't necessarily slow up to land. Hummingbirds can even fly short distances upside down, a trick rollover they employ when being attacked by another bird. It can go up to 60 mph, and thier heart beats 1,260 beatrs per minute. Sorry, I got a little carried away! But anyways, it's not entierely true that a bird can't fly backwards. Hope I helped! ~Nicole ;-)

Answer 5

Most birds can't fly backwards because the way the wing is shaped - wider at the front than the back. This tapering provides lift, if birds were to try to fly the other way then the wing wouldn't provide enough lift to enable them to carry on flying.

I suppose hummingbirds can fly backwards only for a little way, and slowly, because they flap their wings so fast that that provides them with some lift.

Answer 6

birds can fly backwards. take hummingbirds for example. They can hover, fly any direction and beat their wings 75 times a second. There are also others that can. Like many birds when they are startled off a pirch, will fly backwards off the pirch for a quick escape.

Answer 7

Most don't need to since they only need to see what is in front of them. Only humming birds can fly backwards as far as I know. For most birds it is likely the size and shape of their wing, it works well one way but not the other.

Answer 8

All birds cannot fly backwards except the Humming Bird....

Answer 9

Most birds can, it's just not very efficient and demands a lot of energy so they won't be usually doing it for a long time or distance. Lots of birds can hover too, especially smaller birds, but again it takes alot of energy. The humming bird is just more specialised for this type of flying so lots of people incorrectly think it is unique in this skill.

Answer 10

The Ooyah bird ONLY flies backwards!