Hummingbirds are a family of small, brightly colored birds found only in the Americas. Known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards as well as forwards, hummingbirds have captured the fascination of people around the world. While hummingbirds are native to the Western Hemisphere, people in India have come up with names for these birds in several different languages spoken across the country.
Hummingbirds in India
There are no native hummingbird species found in India. Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas from Alaska to Chile. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, all restricted to the Western Hemisphere. However, people in India are still familiar with hummingbirds through books, television, movies, and other media. As a result, there are names for hummingbirds in languages spoken in India such as Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Bengali even though the birds are not native to the country.
Names for Hummingbirds in Hindi
The most widely spoken language in India is Hindi. In Hindi, hummingbirds are most commonly referred to as गूंजनपक्षी (goonjan pakshi). This literally translates to “resonant winged bird” or “singing winged bird.” The name refers to the characteristic humming or buzzing sound made by the rapid flapping of a hummingbird’s wings which can reach up to 70 flaps per second. Other names for hummingbirds in Hindi include:
- चहचहाती चिड़िया (chahachahati chidiya) – chirping bird
- गुनगुनाती चिड़िया (gunagunati chidiya) – murmuring bird
- कंपकंपाती पंखो वाली चिड़िया (kampakampati pankho wali chidiya) – bird with vibrating wings
Names for Hummingbirds in Tamil
In the Dravidian language Tamil, spoken widely in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, hummingbirds are called துடித்து பறக்கும் பறவை (thudithu parakkum paravai) which translates to “vibrating flying bird.” Some other Tamil names for hummingbirds include:
- குரைத்துப் பறக்கும் பறவை (kuraiththup parakkum paravai) – murmuring bird
- ஒலிக்கும் சிறகுகள் பறவை (olikkum sirakukaḷ paravai) – bird with resonating wings
Names for Hummingbirds in Malayalam
In Malayalam, spoken in the south Indian state of Kerala, hummingbirds are called കുഞ്ഞിപ്പറവ് (kunjipparav) which translates to “little bird.” Some other names are:
- ശബ്ദസമൃദ്ധമായ ചിറകുകളുള്ള പക്ഷി (shabdasamṛddhamāya ciṟakukaḷuḷḷa pakṣi) – bird with resonant wings
- കുരയ്ക്കുന്ന പക്ഷി (kuraykkunna pakṣi) – murmuring bird
Names for Hummingbirds in Bengali
In Bengali, primarily spoken in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, hummingbirds are known as ঝুঁকিপাখি (jhunkipakhi). This translates to “swaying bird” or “fluttering bird.” Some other Bengali names for hummingbirds are:
- কম্পমান পাখি (kompoman pakhi) – vibrating bird
- ঝংকারপাখি (jhôngkarapakhi) – jingling bird
Names in Other Indian Languages
Hummingbirds may be called by other names in regional Indian languages such as:
- Marathi: ढिमकत पक्षी (ḍhimaḳata pakṣī) – throbbing bird
- Gujarati: ગૂંજનારી પક્ષી (gūnjānārī pakṣī) – resonating bird
- Telugu: అలుపు పక్షి (alupu pakṣi) – humming bird
- Kannada: ಕೂಗುವ ಪಕ್షಿ (kūguva pakṣi) – cooing bird
Origin of Indian Names for Hummingbirds
The names for hummingbirds in various Indian languages are descriptive terms that characterize the distinct traits of these birds. Their small size, colorful iridescent plumage, ability to precisely hover and fly backwards, and constant wing fluttering that produces an audible humming sound are all features reflected in their Indian names. Although native only to the Americas, depictions of hummingbirds in books and media have allowed Indian languages to develop unique names for these birds.
Significance in Indian Culture
Hummingbirds hold no major significance in Indian culture, as they are not native birds and do not play a role in myths, legends, or traditions. However, their depiction in Indian language names does demonstrate an awareness of the natural world outside of India. The fact that unique names exist for hummingbirds across different Indian languages shows an appreciation for the diversity of the animal kingdom, even including species found far away from India. When hummingbirds appear in Indian literature or poetry, they are often used as symbols of vibrancy, energy, delicacy, andrenewal.
Hummingbird Species with Indian Names
While hummingbirds themselves are not native to India, some species that occur in the Americas have been given Indian names. For example:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – लाल-गले वाला गूंजनपक्षी (lal-gale vala goonjanpakshi) in Hindi
- Anna’s Hummingbird – அன்னா குரைத்துப் பறக்கும் பறவை (Anna kuraiththup parakkum paravai) in Tamil
- Rufous Hummingbird – ചുവപ്പു നിറമുള്ള കുഞ്ഞിപ്പറവ് (chuvappu niramulla kunjipparav) in Malayalam
These Indian names help create connections between the birds of the Americas and the native languages of India.
Conclusion
In India, hummingbirds are known by descriptive names in languages like Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Bengali that characterize the birds’ small size, iridescent coloring, hovering ability, and constant buzzing wing movements. While hummingbirds are exclusive to the Western Hemisphere, Indian languages have their own unique names for these birds that demonstrate an awareness of species beyond those native to India. The names compare the hummingbirds’ sounds to murmuring, jingling, throbbing, and more. Hummingbirds themselves do not play a major role in Indian culture, but they can represent concepts like energy and renewal in Indian poetry and literature. Their Indian names allow these tiny, vibrant birds of the Americas to find a place in the lexicon and consciousness of India.
