The only bird known to fly backward is the hummingbird. Hummingbirds are unique in their ability to hover in mid-air, fly in any direction, and even fly backward. They achieve this by rapidly flapping their wings in a figure-eight pattern, allowing them to generate lift and maneuver with exceptional agility. This remarkable flying ability enables them to feed on nectar from flowers while hovering, even extracting nectar while in a reverse flight. The backward flight of hummingbirds is a result of their specialized wing structure and the rapid speed at which they beat their wings.