There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds in the world, but only one is commonly known for making a distinct buzzing or bee-like sound – the Anna’s Hummingbird. This medium-sized hummingbird can be found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California. The male Anna’s Hummingbird produces a loud, insect-like trill through his tail feathers during his elaborate mating dives and flights. This unusual vocalization is what earned this bird its nickname of the “Bees Hummingbird”. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Anna’s Hummingbird and the reasons behind its bizarre bee-buzzing sounds.
Characteristics of the Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is medium in size for a hummingbird, measuring about 4 inches long with a wingspan up to 4.7 inches. It has a slender, curved black bill and a head that ranges from metallic green to bronze-green depending on the lighting. The male has an iridescent reddish-pink throat and crown, while the female has greenish-grey underparts and a lighter grey throat with small reddish spots. Some key features include:
- Medium-sized with mostly green and grey plumage
- Males have vivid reddish-pink gorgets (throat feathers)
- Females have light grey throats with small red spots
- Slender curved black bills adapted for drinking nectar
- Wings beat up to 70 times per second
The Anna’s Hummingbird was named after a 19th century duchess, Anna Massena. It is the most common and widespread hummingbird found along the Pacific Coast. Though they do migrate, some populations are residential all year long in mild climates. Their habitat includes suburban gardens, parks, and coastal woodlands where flower nectar and small insects are plentiful.
The Anna’s Hummingbird’s Bee-Like Sound
The most distinctive feature of the Anna’s Hummingbird is the strange buzzing, squeaking, or insect-like sound the males make with their tail feathers. This odd vocalization is produced specifically during their courtship displays. In order to attract females, the males ascend rapidly to heights up to 100 feet before diving back down while making this loud bee-buzzing trill.
How the Anna’s Hummingbird Makes the Sound
The Anna’s Hummingbird has uniquely rigid tail feathers with sharply pointed tips. As the male dives at high speeds during his courtship display, airflow through these stiff tail feathers causes them to flutter and vibrate. This creates a loud, buzzing or squeaking sound. The trill is made only on the downward portion of the dive and may be audible up to 100 feet away. The frequency of the sound is similar to the wingbeat of an insect like a bee. This makes the vocalization seem very insect-like to human ears. Females appear to be attracted to louder, more vigorous trills, so the quality of the male’s bee-buzzing helps ensure mating success.
Why the Anna’s Hummingbird Makes This Sound
Producing a loud, bee-like buzz with the tail feathers takes extra energy, so why would males have evolved this trait? There are a few key explanations:
- The dive display with trill sets the Anna’s Hummingbird apart from other similar hummingbird species. This uniqueness may help the females recognize appropriate mates.
- The rapid dive and loud buzz serves as an aggressive signal to other male hummingbirds that this is the displaying bird’s territory.
- Females seem to prefer louder, more complex vocalizations, so the trill may indicate a male’s physical fitness.
- The distinct sound may startle predators, giving the diving male greater protection.
In short, the Anna’s Hummingbird’s bee-like buzz likely evolved through sexual selection and helps the birds with courtship, territoriality, fitness signaling, and predator defense. The bizarre sound sets them apart from related species.
Differences Between Male and Female Anna’s Hummingbirds
There are a few key physical differences between male and female Anna’s Hummingbirds related to the male’s diving courtship behavior and vocalizations:
| Trait | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Throat color | Iridescent reddish-pink | Light grey with small red spots |
| Tail feathers | Stiff and sharply pointed | More rounded tips |
| Courtship displays | Elaborate dives with buzzing vocalizations | None |
As seen above, the male’s stiff pointed tail feathers and reddish throat are adaptations to produce the unique courtship sounds and visual displays that attract mates. Females lack these specialized features since they do not engage in elaborate diving displays.
How to Identify the Anna’s Hummingbird by its Sound
The Anna’s Hummingbird’s distinct bee-like buzzing is the best way to identify these birds by ear alone. Here are some tips for recognizing their sounds:
- Listen for loud, buzzing chirps made while diving rapidly downward.
- The sound has an insect-like quality, similar to bees or other winged insects.
- Pitch of the sound may descend from high to low as the bird completes its dive.
- Trills are produced by males during courtship flights, often in late winter and early spring.
- Listen for buzzing sounds near flowering plants the birds feed on.
- The trills can be heard up to 100 feet away in ideal conditions.
If you hear a loud, buzzing trill coming from mid-air, chances are it is a male Anna’s Hummingbird producing its signature bee-inspired vocalization during a high-speed dive. This unique courtship behavior is what earned the Anna’s Hummingbird its common nickname of the “Bees Hummingbird”.
Other Hummingbirds with Buzzing Sounds
While the Anna’s Hummingbird is the most famous for its bee-buzzing noise, some other hummingbird species also make similar sounds:
Costa’s Hummingbird
The male Costa’s Hummingbird also makes a quick buzzing sound with its tail feathers while diving. However, the trill is much shorter and less pronounced than the Anna’s Hummingbird’s sustained buzzing. Costa’s are found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
Berylline Hummingbird
The Berylline Hummingbird’s wings make a loud buzzing during flight. Both males and females produce this sound. They are found in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
Rufous Hummingbird
Male Rufous Hummingbirds use a variety of buzzing and clicking sounds during courtship. These vocalizations are made with the syrinx (voice box) rather than the tail feathers. Their range extends along the Pacific Coast.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The male Allen’s Hummingbird produces short buzzing sounds with its syrinx during courtship displays. They occur along coastal California into Oregon.
Conclusion
The Anna’s Hummingbird is best known for its loud, bee-like buzzing sounds made during breeding courtship displays. This unusual vocalization is produced by males as air rushes through stiffened tail feathers during high-speed dives. The bee buzz likely evolved to help attract mates, defend territories, and warn off predators. Distinguishing features like the male’s bright reddish throat and sharply pointed tail feathers facilitate bee-buzzing. No other hummingbird species in its range produces such a sustained, insect-sounding trill during elaborate aerial maneuvers. So next time you hear a loud buzzing coming from a darting hummingbird, listen closely – it may just be an amorous male Anna’s Hummingbird serenading potential mates with his signature bee-inspired song.
