What are hummingbirds doing with their tails during flight?

I'm a hummingbird photographer, and I have thousands of hummingbird photos. I also know some physics and elementary aerodynamics. Hummingbirds have two main flying modes. read more

Because the tail can assume a flat shape or a V shape, it can act like a horizontal and/or a vertical stabilizer on an airplane. However, things are much more "ad hoc" when the bird is in hovering flight. Moving the tail affects balance and aerodynamics. read more

The researchers discovered why male Costa's hummingbirds perform high-speed dives in certain positions: rather than diving directly in front of females, they dive at their sides. This is because the positioning minimizes what females hear of a Doppler sound produced by the dive. read more

Then he engages in a nuptial flight during which he may repeatedly fly in a large U-shaped pattern. 9. GROOMING. Hummers preen themselves with their bills and claws. Using oil from a gland near their tail they groom their wings, abdomen, tail feathers and back. Stroke by stroke they tend to the veins of each feather. read more