A type of flight in which the bird remains stationary in midair, usually accompanied by the rapid beating of the wings. Purple Martins often hover in the airspace immediately in front of their nest compartments if for any reason they have to hesitate before landing. They also hover when in a strong headwind, they have a zero ground speed.
A technique a bird uses for various reasons, including to search for food. To hover, a bird remains stationary in mid-air, usually by rapidly flapping its wings