Why do hummingbirds hum?

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.