Hester Morgan's early life is shrouded in mystery.  She attended university and majored in science, an unusual path for women in the war-era United States, and specialized in ornithology - the study of birds.  While widely regarded as one of the foremost ornithologists in the nation, she was frustrated that her career path was somewhat financially meager.  She longed for luxury and affluence and decided to turn to crime to get it.   She invented a set of golden glider wings cloaked in hummingbird feathers that would carry her high and fast and launched a string of daring robberies, using blinding flares to facilitate her escapes.  Unsatisfied with the amount of gain from personal robberies, she organized a gang to assist her, ultimately attracting the attention of Hawkman.  Targeting a gala event in Keystone City where Carter Hall is a guests leads to the Hummingbird's first encounter with the winged hero.  Cornered, the Hummingbird takes flight with Hawkman in hot pursuit, only to leave him blinded with her flares.

    Hawkman quickly regained his sight and seeing him take off draws the attention of Hawkgirl, who follows him as he corners Hester Morgan in her home.  There she witnessed the Hummingbird confess her crimes and return her loot, promising to go straight. Hawkman is taken in by her sincerity and offers to get her a real research job working for Carter Hall where her skills are appreciated but Hawkgirl is dubious of Morgan's intentions.  Weeks pass and Morgan appears to be a model citizen until Hall decides to put his family's emerald collection on display at a local museum for charity.  Morgan is deeply tempted and when Hawkgirl confronts her when she is viewing the jewels, the Hummingbird re-emerges and organizes her old gang to steal the jewels.  Hawkman thrashes her thugs and captures Hummingbird with a net and trident but again lets her go when she returns the jewels and offers to try to be honest.   Hawkman let's her go but instructs his hawks to trail her and report back if she returns to crime (Flash Comics #52).