What are the world’s loudest birds? Here are 2 contenders
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst said the bare-throated bellbird and red-legged seriema are 2 contenders for world's loudest birds. The post What are the world’s loudest birds? Here are 2 contenders first appeared on EarthSky .
The University of Massachusetts Amherst revealed two bird species that might hold the title of the world's loudest birds. The bare-throated bellbird, residing in the Amazon, and the red-legged seriema, found in eastern South America, both have calls reaching over 120 decibels. For reference, a chainsaw also generates around 120-130 decibels.
While the loudest birds may appear as those outside our windows at dawn, researchers aimed to explore the relationship between physical traits and a bird's loudness, as well as its ecological niche and social organization. Utilizing golf rangefinders and portable sound meters, researchers João C.T. Menezes and Jeff Podos measured 123 bird species, with 113 previously undocumented in terms of volume.
The findings show a wide range of volume levels, from the 64-decibel little hummingbird to the ultra-loud 120+ decibel calls of the studied birds. While larger birds with bulky muscles and wider beak openings might contribute to greater air compression and louder volume, the specific ecological and evolutionary reasons behind loudness remain unclear, necessitating further investigation with more data from additional species.
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