Hummingbirds are known for the humming sound created by the rapid beating of their wings, which allows them to hover in place or fly backwards. This buzzing noise is how hummingbirds got their name. However, hummingbirds can make a variety of other sounds as well.
Humming Noise
The most recognizable sound made by hummingbirds is the humming or buzzing noise created by their wings beating incredibly fast. Hummingbirds have the ability to flap their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to fly fast or hover in place while feeding on flower nectar.
The wings of hummingbirds are specially adapted to create this distinct humming sound. Their bones are hollow, making their wings very lightweight so they can flap quickly. The leading edges of their wings are rigid while the rear edges are flexible, allowing for easy movement. As the wings beat at high speeds, they create the characteristic humming or buzzing noise.
The pitch and volume of the humming sound depends on the size of the hummingbird species. Larger hummingbirds like the Giant Hummingbird have deeper, lower-pitched wing beats compared to smaller species. The tempo of the humming also changes depending on if the bird is hovering or actively propelling itself forward in flight.
Male hummingbirds often have faster wing beating speeds than females. This allows males to produce louder, more pronounced humming during courtship displays.
Chirping
In addition to humming wing beats, hummingbirds also produce chirping and clicking vocalizations. These short, repetitive sounds are used for communication and courtship.
Male hummingbirds perform courtship displays where they fly in elaborate patterns to impress females. As they fly, they produce rapid chirping sounds with their voices. The Calliope Hummingbird has one of the fastest known vocalizations of any animal, able to sing a 20-note trill in under a second.
Female hummingbirds may also vocalize in response to males during courtship. In some species like Anna’s Hummingbird, females make a high-pitched squeaking call when chased by an undesirable male suitor.
Chirping vocalizations are also used to communicate with other hummingbirds when defending territory or food sources. If one hummingbird approaches another at a feeder, the defending bird will make fast chirping sounds to signal its dominance.
Scratchy Sounds
Hummingbirds have stiff, serrated tongue tips that allow them to lap up nectar while hovering over a flower. As this serrated tongue darts in and out of flowers, a scratchy, raspy sound is produced.
Listen closely near a hummingbird feeder and you may hear these scratchy tonguing sounds as hummingbirds insert their specialized tongues into nectar ports to drink. The scratchy sounds tend to be faint and can be difficult to detect.
Hummingbirds also produce short, scratchy vocalizations that sound distinct from their chirping. These scratchy squeaking noises are thought to communicate agitation or alarm when a bird feels threatened.
Buzzing During a Dive Display
Male hummingbirds perform dive displays where they rapidly dive toward the ground in front of a female and then quickly pull up. As air rushes through the tail feathers during these dramatic dives, a buzzing trill is created.
Species like the Anna’s Hummingbird have specially adapted outer tail feathers that produce loud buzzing or popping sounds on the downstroke of these dive displays. This flag-like outer tail feather acts as a noisemaker to impress females.
The V-shaped dive display is one of the most elaborate courtship rituals of any hummingbird. By combining rapid chirping vocalizations with buzzing tail feather sounds and graceful aerial acrobatics, male hummingbirds put on a stunning multimedia show.
High-Frequency Squeaks
Hummingbirds can hear sound frequencies significantly higher than humans can perceive. These tiny birds make use of these high-frequency sounds inaudible to our ears for communication.
Scientists have captured hummingbird vocalizations with specialized high-speed recording equipment and then slowed down the audio to make it audible to humans. The recordings revealed hummingbirds produce unique high-pitched squeaking sounds.
When slowed down by a factor of 10 or 20 times, these squeaks take on an unusual alien-like quality. But they likely provide important auditory information to other hummingbirds as part of their communication repertoire.
Sounds Made While Perching
Most hummingbird vocalizations are produced during flight, either through wing beats or voices. However, hummingbirds resting on an exposed perch will sometimes make communication sounds.
You might hear a perched hummingbird make a brief thin squeaking call if another hummingbird gets too close. Soft chips or cheeping sounds may also be vocalized between perched male and female hummingbirds during courtship.
In addition, listen for the hummingbird’s tail feathers vibrating against its perch as a low-pitched rattling sound when the bird is agitated.
Sounds Of a Hummingbird’s Heartbeat
A hummingbird’s rapid heartbeat can be heard if the bird is handled. When cupped gently in the hand, a hummingbird’s heart rate exceeds 600 beats per minute at rest. This swift heartbeat is another adaptation that supports the hummingbird’s high-energy lifestyle and hovering flight.
Hummingbird heartbeats make a low buzzing sound during their rest period. But this sensitive creature should never be handled unnecessarily and does not make this noise under natural conditions.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds produce a surprising variety of sounds. The most recognizable is the humming created by their fast-beating wings, which allows them to hover in place. They also make chirping vocalizations for courtship, high-pitched squeaks we can’t hear, raspy scratching sounds with their tongue, buzzing from dive displays, and even low chatter-like sounds while perching. The speedy heartbeat of a hummingbird can also produce a buzzing hum when handled. Next time you see these energetic birds buzzing from flower to flower, listen closely to appreciate the full diversity of sounds that hummingbirds can make.
