Can Hummingbirds Sing with Their Tails?

Hummingbirds sing with their tails by making their tail feathers vibrate at specific frequencies. Male hummingbirds use these songs along with acrobatic diving displays to attract females. Each species of hummingbird has a different song, and songs can vary between individual hummingbirds because of differences in feather shape and stiffness.

More facts about hummingbirds:

• Hummingbirds are the only type of bird that can fly backward.


• The smallest species of bird is the bee hummingbird. Adult bee hummingbirds are about the size of a human thumb and weigh 0.063 ounces (about 1.8 grams).


• Hummingbirds can live for more than a decade, although most species in North America live about three to five years. This is unusually long for any type of animal with such a fast metabolism. Although hummingbirds can slow their metabolism, when they're in flight, they have the fastest metabolism of any animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hummingbirds produce sounds with their tails?

Yes, certain species of hummingbirds can produce sounds with their tails. During courtship dives, males of species like the Anna's Hummingbird extend their tail feathers, which flutter in the air, creating a distinctive chirping sound. This is not vocal singing but a mechanical sound made by the tail feathers.

Why do hummingbirds make sounds with their tails?

Hummingbirds make sounds with their tails primarily for mating displays. The males perform dramatic aerial dives to attract females, and the sound produced by their tail feathers adds an auditory component to the visual spectacle. This sound can signal the male's fitness and desirability as a mate.

How do hummingbirds control the sound produced by their tails?

Hummingbirds control the sound produced by their tails by adjusting the spread and angle of their tail feathers during high-speed dives. The air rushing past the feathers causes them to vibrate, and subtle changes in the tail configuration can alter the pitch and volume of the sound, allowing for a range of expressions.

Are all hummingbird species capable of making tail sounds?

Not all hummingbird species are capable of making tail sounds. The ability to produce such sounds is species-specific and has evolved independently in different hummingbird lineages. Only some species have developed the specialized tail feathers necessary for sound production during their mating displays.

Do female hummingbirds also produce sounds with their tails?

Female hummingbirds typically do not produce sounds with their tails. The tail-sound phenomenon is mostly observed in males, who use it as part of their courtship rituals to attract females. Females are generally the observers and listeners, using the sounds to evaluate potential mates.

Is the sound produced by hummingbird tails considered a form of communication?

The sound produced by hummingbird tails during courtship dives is indeed a form of communication. It conveys information about the male's vigor and quality to the female, helping her make a choice in selecting a mate. This non-vocal communication is an integral part of the hummingbirds' mating rituals.