What is wing beating?

Wing beating refers to the action of a bird or insect using its wings to create a lift or motion for flight. The frequency, amplitude and duration of wing beats varies greatly between different species and is related to their size, weight and flight patterns. For example, hummingbirds have high frequency wing beats (up to 80 beats per second) while eagles and vultures have slower and more powerful strokes. Insects such as bees and flies can move their wings extremely fast, up to several hundred times per second, to maintain their hovering position. It is also important to note that wing beating can be affected by factors such as wind speed, temperature, altitude and air pressure.