Hobbies And Interests
Club-winged Manakins
Manakins have one of the most complex courtship rituals known to bird enthusiasts. They use a combination of whistles, chirps, aerial acrobatics, dancing and wing flap noises to attract a mate. The Manakin has specialized secondary feathers that have intricate ridges paired with stiff curved feathers to help create harmonic wing sounds. As reported by Kimberly Bostwick, curator of the bird and mammal collection in the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, the feathers create a frequency of 1,500 Hz and the wing flapping causes a second harmonic noise.
Anna's Hummingbird
The Anna's Hummingbird makes a distinct chirp as part of its mating ritual. As the bird plummets to the earth, a high pitched, chirping sound is emitted. This sound is nonvocal and arises as air crosses the vane and barbs of the outermost tail feathers. The frequency of the sound created averages around 4,100 Hz.
Common Nighthawk
The male Common Nighthawk produces one of the loudest wing-originated noises. During courtship, the bird circles around the nesting site and then dives towards the ground. When the Nighthawk almost reaches the ground, it flexes the wings, allowing air to rush through the primary feathers. The resulting noise is a loud boom. In addition to courting, the boom acts as a warning when intruders are present.
Short-eared Owl
The Short-eared Owl uses the actual fluttering of its wings for both breeding and warning. During the courtship display, the owl flaps its wings in a pattern followed by a clapping noise similar to the cracking of a whip. The noise created is a result of the carpal bones of the wing rubbing together. When used as a warning, the wing flapping increases in intensity and duration.