Why do hummingbirds hum?

Unknown Sunday, August 14, 2011

The wings of the smallest hummingbirds can reach 100 beats per second during courtship displays. As their wings slice through the air, it produces a hum. The hummingbird gets its name from this sound.

But hummingbirds can do more than just hum. Most like Michigan’s Ruby-throated Hummingbird also have a chip call.

Then there is the Anna's Hummingbird, a medium-sized hummingbird that is common in the far western United States. It is North America's only singing hummingbird. Their song during breeding season is a series of buzzy, scratchy, squeaking phrases along with some chip notes.


And if that isn't impressive enough they also fly 30 meters up in the air to complete a dive in front of females. The dive is so fast that it ends with an explosive chirp made by their tail feathers.
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