Hummingbirds: The Enigmatic "Fly Birds"

Why did European explorers call the hummingbird the "fly bird"?

A. Because it had bright and beautiful wings

B. Because it flew on the backs of geese

C. Because it was small with tiny wings that beat very quickly

Answer:

European explorers called hummingbirds 'fly birds' due to their small size, fast wing movements, and a myth that they migrated on the backs of larger birds.

European explorers referred to hummingbirds as 'fly birds' largely because of their tiny size and their wings' rapid movements, which are similar to those of insects. The hummingbirds' unique ability to hover mid-air, with wings that can beat as fast as 200 times per second, made them quite a spectacle, leading to this comparison. Additionally, some explorers believed in a myth that hummingbirds migrated on the backs of larger birds, like geese.

There are various myths and cultural beliefs related to hummingbirds. The Mayans, for instance, thought that hummingbirds were representations of the sun trying to woo the moon. Similarly, the Hopis painted hummingbirds on their drums to appeal to the gods for rain. Even Aztecs adorned their ceremonial attires with heroalic hummingbird feathers, considering them as messengers between the human world and the spirit world.