2021/03/15 by Ben J Hightower, Patrick W.A. Wijnings, R. Scholte +5 · 1 citation
Engineering · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Physics and Astronomy · #Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Hummingbird #Flapping #Aerodynamics #Hum #Timbre #Physics #Acoustics #Aerospace engineering #Aeronautics #Wing #Biology #Engineering #Mechanics #Art #Art history
paper · doi:10.7554/elife.63107
openalex publication_date 2021/03/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
How hummingbirds hum is not fully understood, but its biophysical origin is encoded in the acoustic nearfield. Hence, we studied six freely hovering Anna's hummingbirds, performing acoustic nearfield holography using a 2176 microphone array in vivo, while also directly measuring the 3D aerodynamic forces using a new aerodynamic force platform. We corroborate the acoustic measurements by developing an idealized acoustic model that integrates the aerodynamic forces with wing kinematics, which shows how the timbre of the hummingbird's hum arises from the oscillating lift and drag forces on each wing. Comparing birds and insects, we find that the characteristic humming timbre and radiated power of their flapping wings originates from the higher harmonics in the aerodynamic forces that support their bodyweight. Our model analysis across insects and birds shows that allometric deviation makes larger birds quieter and elongated flies louder, while also clarifying complex bioacoustic behavior.