Biology
Energetics of Aerial Acrobatics in Male Hummingbirds During Courtship
Quick fact
Male Anna's hummingbirds can reach speeds of 385 body lengths per second during courtship dives, experiencing forces up to 9 Gs — the highest known for any vertebrate performing an aerial display.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a creature the size of your thumb diving at 60 km/h — faster than a car in a school zone. How does it survive the G-forces and the sheer energy drain?