Hummingbird sound production is fundamentally different from that of a typical songbird. While they are highly vocal, they lack the complex, learned vocalizations classified as “song” in groups like warblers or thrushes. Hummingbirds communicate through a unique blend of simple vocalizations and specialized, mechanical sounds generated by their feathers.
Chirps and Chatters The True Vocalizations
Hummingbirds possess a syrinx, the avian equivalent of a voice box, but their sounds are simpler and more instinctual than the elaborate songs of passerine birds. These vocalizations are typically high-pitched chips, squeaks, and rapid chatters. They are innate sounds, not learned, and are used for immediate communication.
These sharp, quick sounds serve distinct purposes, primarily revolving around conflict and warnings. A rapid burst of chattering is commonly heard during territorial disputes, warning rivals near a feeding spot or nesting area. They also function as alarm calls, alerting other hummingbirds to the presence of a predator.
Some species, such as the male Anna’s hummingbird, have a more structured vocal display sometimes referred to as a song, but these are often just scratchy notes and repeated calls. Unlike true songbirds, which rely on complex, learned songs for mating, the hummingbird’s vocal repertoire is restricted to short, high-frequency calls.
The Distinct Sound of Flight
The most recognizable sound of the hummingbird, which gives the bird its name, is purely mechanical, not vocal. This constant “hum” is an aerodynamic noise created by the extremely high frequency of their wing beats as they hover or fly rapidly. Hummingbirds create lift on both the downstroke and the upstroke, moving their wings in a figure-eight pattern.
Depending on the species, wings can beat anywhere from 12 beats per second in the largest species to nearly 100 beats per second in the smallest. This incredible speed causes the air to vibrate around the feathers, producing the low-pitched, sustained humming sound. This sound is a necessary consequence of the bird’s need for high-speed, precision flight.
Non-Vocal Sounds in Courtship and Territory
In addition to the general flight hum, male hummingbirds intentionally use specialized non-vocal sounds during courtship and territorial displays. These noises are created by manipulating specific feathers and are distinct from the everyday sound of their wings. The most dramatic example occurs during the male’s courtship dive, where he climbs to a great height before plummeting toward a perched female.
As the male pulls out of the dive, he spreads and manipulates his specialized tail feathers, causing them to vibrate rapidly against the air current. This action produces a loud, often explosive sound, which can be a distinct buzz, whistle, or resonant pop depending on the species. This deliberate sound, sometimes called a “feather song,” is a display of physical fitness used to impress the female and warn off rivals. These engineered feather sounds demonstrate that hummingbirds rely on both their syrinx and their physical structure to create a complex array of noises for social interaction.