By Staff
International Business Times
September 10, 2011
The hummingbird, one of the smallest birds famous for its mid-air hovering, has its name derived from a hum it produces during the male hummingbird’s courtship ritual.
The exact source of its high-pitched fluttering sound has been identified for the first time, detailed in a paper published in the journal Science on Friday.
Christopher Clark of Yale University found out that male hummingbirds make the sound with their tail feathers during their courtship ritual to attract female hummingbirds. The sound is produced by the air flowing past the tail feathers, making them flutter. [more…]
United Earth is a not for profit non-governmental organization which recognizes and promotes environmental leadership and humanitarian excellence worldwide.
