Hummingbirds are well known for their ability to hover in midair and for their iridescent plumage. They are also famous for their high-pitched chirps and squeaks. But do hummingbirds actually have a specific mating call that they use to attract a mate? The short answer is yes, hummingbirds do have mating calls that play an important role in their courtship rituals.
What Do Hummingbird Mating Calls Sound Like?
The mating calls of male hummingbirds are a series of high-pitched squeaks and chirps. They are produced by specialized feathers on the tail called rectrices. During courtship displays, male hummingbirds will position themselves at the top of a tall tree or other prominent perch and face into the sun. They then rotate their tails horizontally so that the specialized outer rectrices are positioned to act as a sound resonator. The tail feathers vibrate in the breeze, amplifying the male’s vocalizations. This results in a loud, metallic chirping or whistling sound that carries long distances.
The exact tone and pitch of hummingbird mating calls varies by species. Allen’s hummingbirds have a piercing two-note “zweep” call. Anna’s hummingbirds produce a rapid series of T-shaped notes that sound like “chip chip chip.” Costa’s hummingbirds have a whistling “tweep-tweep.” The call of a male broad-tailed hummingbird is a loud, sharp “peent!” Rufous hummingbirds make a distinctive five-note mating call described as a “chi-chi-chi chi chi” or “tzew-tzew-tzew tzew.”
When Do Hummingbirds Make Their Mating Calls?
Hummingbirds sing their mating calls most actively in the early breeding season between February and May. This corresponds to when the males return from their wintering grounds seeking out mating territories and displaying to attract females. The males will perch in prominent locations within their territory and vocalize repeatedly to declare ownership of the area, ward off rivals, and entice females.
Mating calls are produced most vigorously in the early mornings when hummingbird activity peaks. Cool, humid, and windless mornings allow the calls to travel farther. The males may vocalize sporadically throughout the day as well. But the most intense bouts of calling happen for the first few hours after sunrise when conditions are optimal for long-range sound transmission.
Why Do Male Hummingbirds Have Specialized Mating Calls?
Male hummingbirds have evolved unique mating calls for several important reasons:
- To attract females – The calls allow females to easily locate potential mates.
- To declare ownership of a territory – The calls announce that a male is occupying an area rich in nectar flowers.
- To intimidate rival males – Loud calls signal dominance and ward off competitors.
- To demonstrate fitness – A strong, consistent call communicates good health and vitality.
Females are very selective when choosing a mate and prefer males that hold prime feeding territories. Loud and sustained mating calls suggest the male has the energy reserves required to vigorously defend a high-quality territory. This makes him a more desirable mate.
Do Female Hummingbirds Have Specialized Calls?
Female hummingbirds do not possess the specialized physical adaptations that allow males to produce loud, far-carrying mating calls. However, they do vocalize using more subtle chirps and squeaks. These calls are used primarily during courtship to interact with displaying males.
When an interested female approaches a calling male, she may produce soft chirping sounds. This feedback encourages the male to continue his courtship display. If the female is not interested, she will emit short, sharp squeaks to discourage the amorous male. Females may also vocalize during fights with other females over prime nesting locations or access to food sources.
How Are Hummingbird Mating Displays and Calls Evolving Due to Urbanization?
Some scientists have observed that hummingbirds living in urban areas face different selective pressures than birds in more natural environments. Features of cities like higher nighttime light levels, increased ambient noise, and the prevalence of non-native flowering plants may be influencing both the mating calls and displays of urban hummingbirds.
One study on Anna’s hummingbirds found that city-dwelling males sing mating calls at higher amplitudes and lower frequencies compared to rural hummingbirds. This allows their calls to be heard above the low-frequency urban background noise. Males in noisy urban territories also do more dive displays as visual cues to attract mates.
Other observations indicate urban male hummingbirds sing more frequently throughout the day rather than only during the dawn hours. They have also been seen adapting perch locations and courtship orientation to maximize visibility amidst buildings and trees.
More research is needed, but preliminary evidence suggests city life is selecting for hummingbirds that modify both their visual and vocal mating strategies to enhance communication in suboptimal urban conditions.
How Can You Listen to and Identify Hummingbird Mating Calls?
Here are some tips for listening to and identifying hummingbird mating calls:
- Get up early – Arrive at a viewing spot 30-60 minutes before sunrise when call activity peaks.
- Bring binoculars – Scan treetops and perches to try and spot the vocalizing males.
- Choose open areas – Parks, meadows, and backyards have better sound transmission.
- Focus and be patient – Calls can be infrequent; stay quiet and listen.
- Record the sounds – Use your smartphone to tape calls for later analysis.
- Learn your species – Compare recordings with known species vocalizations to ID calls.
With practice, patience, and a good pair of “ears,” you can start putting mating calls to the colorful males in your local hummingbird neighborhood!
Conclusion
In summary, male hummingbirds do have specialized mating calls that play a vital role in their breeding behaviors. The calls are species-specific, used to declare territories, attract mates, and deter rivals. Males vocalize most actively in the early breeding season during dawn courtship displays. Females may also vocalize subtly during courtship interactions. There is some evidence urbanization is leading to evolved changes in hummingbird calls and displays. By listening carefully at the right times, observers can detect and identify the characteristic mating calls of hummingbirds in their area.
