Many, see text. Hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) are small
birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping
of their wings (15 to 80 beats per second, depending on the size
of the bird). They are named for the characteristic hum of this
rapid wing motion. They are the only birds that can fly
backwards. Hummingbirds bear the most glittering plumage and
some of the most elegant adornments. Male hummingbirds are
usually brightly coloured, females duller. The males take no
part in nesting. The nest is usually a neat cup in a tree. Two
white eggs are laid, which are quite small, but large relative
to the bird's size. Incubation is typically 14-19 days. The
names that admiring naturalists have given to hummingbirds
suggest exquisite, fairylike grace and gemlike refulgence.
Fiery-tailed Awlbill , Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Glittering-
bellied Emerald , Brazilian Ruby , Green-crowned Brilliant --are
some of the names applied to the 233 species of the hummingbirds
briefly described in Meyer de Schauensee's