Traditionally, the bird order Apodiformes contained three families: the swifts, Apodidae, the tree swifts, Hemiprocnidae, and the hummingbirds, Trochilidae.

In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, hummingbirds are separated from the Apodiformes as a new order Trochiliformes.

However the hummingbirds, swifts and crested swifts do all share anatomical similarities to one another, and their closest known living relatives, are probably the owlet-nightjars. The adaptation of a short, stout humerus has provided the hummingbird with ideal wings for hovering.

Apodiformes

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