Hummings



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A hum is a sound made by producing a wordless tone with the mouth closed, forcing the sound to emerge from the nose. To hum is to produce such a sound, often with a melody. It is also associated with thoughtful absorption, 'hmm'.

A hum has a particular timbre (or sound quality), usually a monotone or with slightly varying tones. There are other similar sounds not produced by human singing that are also called hums, as the sound produced by machinery in operation, such as a microwave, or by an insect in flight. The hummingbird was named for the sound that bird makes in flight which sounds like a hum.

Mechanics[edit]

A hummingbird with flower

Listen to The Very Best of Enya now: lnk.to/VeryBestOfEnya Enya - The Humming (Lyric Video)Taken from Enya's Album 'Dark Sky Island'iTunes: http://po.st/iDSI. You can do so by providing them with fresh sugar water, which should be emptied no later than 2 weeks after your last bird sighting. It's also advisable that you choose clear nectar over anything with red dyes in it - it is unknown whether red dyes in hummingbird food harms them, and you're definitely better safe than sorry.

A 'hum' or 'humming' by humans is created by the resonance of air in various parts of passages in the head and throat, in the act of breathing. The 'hum' that a hummingbird creates is also created by resonance: in this case by the passage of air against wings in the actions of flying, especially of hovering.

Humming in human evolution[edit]

Joseph Jordania suggested that humming could have played an important role in the early human (hominid) evolution as contact calls.[1] Many social animals produce seemingly haphazard and indistinct sounds (like chicken cluck) when they are going about their everyday business (foraging, feeding). These sounds have two functions: (1) to let group members know that they are among kin and there is no danger, and (2) in case of the appearance of any signs of danger (suspicious sounds, movements in a forest), the animal that notices danger first, stops moving, stops producing sounds, remains silent and looks in the direction of the danger sign. Other animals quickly follow suit and very soon all the group is silent and is scanning the environment for the possible danger. Charles Darwin was the first to notice this phenomenon on the example of the wild horses and the cattle.[2]Joseph Jordania suggested that for humans, as for many social animals, silence can be a sign of danger, and that's why gentle humming and musical sounds relax humans (see the use of gentle music in music therapy, lullabies).[3]

Humming in language[edit]

In Pirahã, the only surviving dialect of the Mura language, there is a special register of speech which uses solely humming, with no audible release.[4]

Music[edit]

Humming is often used in music of genres, from classical (for example, the famous chorus at the end of Act 2 of Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly) to jazz to R&B.

Another form of music derived from basic humming is the humwhistle. The folk art, also known as 'whistle-hum,' produces a high pitch and low pitch simultaneously. The two-tone sound is related to field holler, overtone singing, and yodeling the music.

See also[edit]

  • The Hum – an apparently widespread phenomenon involving a low-frequency hum of unknown origin, inaudible to most people
  • Mains hum – an electric or electromagnetic phenomenon that causes a low frequency (50 or 60 Hz) audible signal

References[edit]

  1. ^Jordania, J. (2009). Times to Fight and Times to Relax: Singing and Humming at the Beginnings of Human Evolutionary History. Kadmos, 1, 272–277
  2. ^Darwin, Charles. (1871). Descent of Men. 2004:123
  3. ^Jordania, Joseph (2010). Music and Emotions: humming in Human Prehistory (proceedings of the International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony, held in Tbilisi, Georgia in 2008
  4. ^https://benjamins.com/catalog/prag.24.2.08nei

External links[edit]

  • The dictionary definition of hum at Wiktionary
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Humming&oldid=1014895996'

Trying to identify the hummingbird zipping around your yard?

Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating creatures that you can find in your backyard. It really helps to know what species of hummingbirds live in Washington.

While the list below contains all the usual hummingbirds found in Washington, it’s possible to find a vagrant species of hummingbird that’s not native to Washington. This is rare but not unheard of.

The following legend can be used for each hummingbird species map to determine what time of year you can see each hummingbird in your area.

The 7 Hummingbirds in Washington

Anna’s Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3.5 – 4in (9-10cm)

Overview

Originally a native to California, the Anna’s Hummingbird is quite adaptable allowing it to expand its range northward and eastward chasing exotic flowers in urban gardens. It’s named in honor of Anna Massena, the Duchess of Rivoli and a generous patron of science. During the winter Anna’s hummingbird has been observed eating insects such as gnats and even eating sand and ashes – likely to provide essential minerals.

How to Identify

Anna’s Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird with a medium sized straight black. bill. The male sports a red gorget. Unlike the Black-Chinned and Costa’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird normally holds its tail still while hovering.

Anna’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Anna’s Hummingbird is a common resident in California but has extended its range north towards the western coast of Washington and southeast to southern part of Arizona. It’s a rare winterer of western Texas.

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3.25 – 3.75 in (8.5 – 9.5cm)

Overview

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is the western counterpart of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. The species was named in 1846 to honor its discoverer – Dr Alexandre. It can be found in most types of habitats, including backyards, all over the western United States. It pumps its tail almost constantly while in flight and isn’t picky about what plants it takes nectar from.

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How to Identify

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is a small hummingbird with a medium to long decurved bill and a grey crown. It’s gorget is mostly black with a hint of violet in the correct sunlight.

Black-Chinned Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The small hummingbird breeds in most the western states, going as far east as eastern Texas. Can be found during the winter in the southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

Selasphorus platycercus

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3.75 – 4in (9.5 – 11cm)

Overview

This medium-sized hummingbird is one of the most hummingbirds of the Rocky Mountains. Their call, which resembles the ringing of tiny bells, is a common sound during the Rocky Mountain summers. Fun fact, a female Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is the oldest known wild hummingbird in the United States reaching a ripe old age of 12 years.

How to Identify

The Broad-Tailed male hummingbird sports a hot pink gorget which contrasts with a white breast. It’s medium-sized with a a decently long tail and straight black bill. It’s a mild-manned hummingbird that is easily bullied by other hummingbirds.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird breeds from Wyoming and central Idaho down to Mexico. Winters in Mexico and can rarely be found along the Gulf of Mexico states. It prefers mountain forests and woodlands.

Calliope Hummingbird

Stellula calliope

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 2.75 – 3.25in (7.5 – 8cm)

Overview

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in the United States. In fact, the male weighs less than a penny. The Calliope’s species name is Greek for “beautiful voice” which is rather ironic given that this hummingbird has limited vocal ability. This hummingbird prefers habitats in conifer forests and older growth following forest fires.

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How to Identify

The Calliope Hummingbird is a really small bird with a short black bill and short tail. The male sports a red to purple gorget with a white background. It’s very small size should distinguish it from other hummingbirds rather easily.

Calliope Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The Calliope Hummingbird breeds in the northwestern states starting from northern California. During the winters, it can be found in the states along the Gulf of Mexico. During migration season, they can be found following both the Rocky Mountain and Pacific ranges.

Costa’s Hummingbird

Calypte costae

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3 – 3.5in (7.5 – 9cm)

Overview

The Costa’s Hummingbird is a desert hummingbird that has been edged out of its natural habitat by urbanization. Most commonly found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. It’s named in honor of Louis Costa, who was an early collector of hummingbird specimens.

How to Identify

The “Fu Manchu” gorget of adult males is pretty much impossible to miss and makes the males easy to identify. But the females are easy to confuse with Anna’s or Black-Chinned hummingbirds. Anna’s female hummingbirds have longer and larger bills and longer tails that, unlike Costa’s are rarely seen being “pumped” while in flight.

Costa’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The Costa’s hummingbird breeds in scrub habitats and thrives in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. It’s a resident in southern California and southwestern Arizona but during the breeding season can be found in northern California and east to central Arizona.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3.25 – 3.75 in (8.5 – 9.5cm)

Overview

The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the United States. In fact, it’s the only one that breeds east of the Mississippi River. To reach these eastern breeding grounds, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird takes a perilous route of flying over 500 miles non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico.

Hummingsong Choir

How to Identify

This hummingbird is on the smaller side. The male sports a handsome scarlet gorget and a black chin strap which distinguishes it from the Anna’s and Broad-Tailed hummingbirds.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The Ruby-Throated hummingbird breeds in eastern United States and prefers hardwood, pine and mixed forests starting in the spring and retreats to Mexico in the winter.

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Trochilidae

Size: 3.5 – 4in (9 – 10cm)

Overview

The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird in the United States. It’s an aggressive species which makes it an unwelcome guest among hummingbird feeders. This hummingbird is an important part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, acting as a pollinator where the insects are at a disadvantage due to their cold-bloodedness.

How to Identify

Hummingbirds

The most distinguishing feature of the Rufous Hummingbird is the male’s rufous gorget that’s hard to miss. It’s a relatively small hummingbird with a short black bill. With the rufous plumage and aggressive behaviour, you’ll have no problem identifying male Rufous Hummingbirds.

Rufous Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

The Rufous Hummingbird breeds from the southeastern tip of Alaska down to the northern most parts of California, going as far east as Montana. During the winter, it migrates down to the Gulf of Mexico states.

How to Attract Washington Hummingbirds to Your Yard

Want to see more hummingbirds in your backyard?

We have all the information you need on our site to help you do that. First, we recommend you read our guide on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard. That’ll give you the basics of what’s required to attract hummingbirds.

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Then, we’d recommend reading our buyer’s guide on choosing the best hummingbird feeder. Setting up a hummingbird feeder or two is the best way to guarantee that hummingbirds will visit your yard.

There are a bunch of other ways to attract hummingbirds such as getting a bird bath and planting native nectar-producing plants.

All State Hummingbirds

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Want to see what hummingbirds species are found in other states? Here’s our complete list of hummingbirds found in each state: