Hummingbirds are a beautiful and fascinating group of birds found throughout the Americas. Their tiny size, jewel-like plumage, and remarkable ability to hover in midair while drinking nectar make them a delight to observe. With over 300 species, hummingbirds display an incredible diversity in size, coloration, behavior, habitat preferences, and migratory habits. When a hummingbird zips by, many of us wonder – which species was that? Identifying a hummingbird by sight can be tricky, but listening for their characteristic wing beats and calls can provide useful clues to their identity. This article explores how to identify hummingbirds by ear when you hear one buzzing by.
Distinctive Features of Hummingbird Sounds
Hummingbirds have uniquely adapted wings that allow them to hover and fly in any direction with precision. Their wings beat at incredibly high frequencies, from 12 beats per second up to an astounding 80 beats per second. This rapid flutter produces the characteristic humming, buzzing, or whirring sound that gives the birds their name. The pitch and tempo of the wing beats varies by species and can help identify the hummingbird creating the sound.
In addition to wing beats, male hummingbirds make chirping, whistling, or squeaking sounds with their syrinx vocal organ during courtship displays. The tone and pattern of these vocalizations differs between species. Females may also produce calls to defend feeding areas or communicate with their young. Listening for wing buzzes along with chirps and squeaks can provide valuable clues when a hummingbird zooms by.
Variation Between Species
While all hummingbird wing beats create a humming or buzzing sound, there are subtle differences between species. Larger hummingbirds like the Rivoli’s Hummingbird tend to have slower, deeper wing beats compared to smaller Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. The pitch also changes with the direction and speed of flight. High-speed forward flight creates a higher pitch than hovering or backward flight does.
Males of some species perform courtship dives to impress females, where they climb 30-100 feet into the air then dive down while making loud shrieking or popping sounds with their tail feathers. These display dives are unique to species like Anna’s Hummingbird and the Allen’s Hummingbird.
Vocalizations further help differentiate species. For example, the male Calliope Hummingbird produces long whistles, the Costa’s Hummingbird male makes short chips, and the male Broad-tailed Hummingbird trills at a very high pitch when courting. Learning the key sounds of males during breeding displays provides a helpful ID clue.
Identifying by Region
Because many hummingbird species have limited ranges, identifying the region and habitat where the bird was heard can provide helpful clues to the possible species. For example, hearing a buzzing hummingbird in the southeastern U.S. narrows possibilities to species like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, whereas hearing one in the southwestern U.S. points to options like the Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Knowing peak activity periods can also assist with identification. Anna’s Hummingbird is active year-round along the Pacific coast, so hearing one on a winter morning is likely that species. Hearing a hummingbird in early spring in the Rocky Mountains suggests a Broad-tailed or Rufous Hummingbird arriving for breeding season. Understanding seasonal occurrence and habitat preferences of each species helps target the possibilities when a mystery hummingbird is heard.
Distinguishing from Insects
One challenge to identifying hummingbirds by ear is that certain flying insects can produce similar buzzing or humming sounds. Bees, dragonflies, hoverflies, and some moths flap their wings fast enough to generate pitches that sound like tiny hummingbirds. The key difference is that insect sounds tend to be lower pitched and lack the variability and rhythm of true hummingbird wing beats. Insects also don’t vocalize with chirping songs like many hummingbird males. Taking into account the pitch, variability, seasonality, and habitat can help rule out insect sounds.
Honing Your Ears
Learning to accurately identify hummingbirds by sound takes patience and practice. Here are some tips to improve your hummingbird identification skills:
– Spend time observing known hummingbird species in your area and listen carefully to associate visual IDs with auditory clues.
– Use smartphone apps like Merlin Bird ID that include hummingbird sounds to become familiar with different vocalizations.
– Supplement field observations by listening to recordings of hummingbird sounds available online or in audio guides.
– Avoid making hasty guesses. Pay close attention to the exact details of the pitch, rhythm, melody, and quality of unfamiliar sounds.
– Consider geographic location and season to narrow down which species are likely.
With keen listening skills and a mental catalog of hummingbird sounds, you can zero in on the species identity when you hear the buzzing or chirping of a mystery hummingbird flying by.
Common North American Hummingbirds and Their Sounds
| Species | Range | Seasonality | Wing Beats Sound | Male Vocalizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Eastern U.S. and Canada | Summer breeding only | High-pitched steady buzzing around middle C on piano | Short clear whistles and chips |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Western U.S. | Summer breeding | High-pitched buzzing, faster when hovering | Series of thin, squeaky notes |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Pacific Coast | Year-round | Low buzzing during breeding dives | Loud squeaks and chips |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Pacific Northwest and Rockies | Summer breeding | Very fast buzzing while feeding | Chattery trills |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | California Coast | Year-round | Low buzzing during breeding dives | Short rising chirps |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Western Mountains | Summer breeding | High thin buzzing around 8-10 kHz | Long whistles |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Rocky Mountains | Summer breeding | Very high pitch buzzing >10 kHz | Shrill trills |
| Rivoli’s Hummingbird | Southwest U.S. and Mexico | Summer breeding | Slow, deep buzzing around 6 kHz | Short whistles and squeaks |
Conclusion
While challenging at first, identifying a hummingbird by sound alone is an achievable skill with practice. Paying close attention to the pitch, tempo, rhythm, and tone of wing beats and vocalizations provides helpful clues. Combining these auditory details with location, season, and expected species can allow you to put a name to the invisible hummingbird zooming around your yard or garden. Sharpen your ears and enrich your birding experience by listening closely to the diverse and fascinating sounds of hummingbirds. The next time you hear the frenetic buzzing of hummingbird wings, see if you can ID the species making that energetic sound.
