Songbird “Sings” With Feathers

Is that sound a violin? Nope! You are hearing the vibrating feathers of the male club-winged manakin. This tiny songbird lives in the cloud forests of the Andes in South America. It vibrates one type of wing feather against another at twice the speed of a hummingbird’s wings to “sing” to potential mates. The sound this vibration makes sounds like a violin.

Learn more about the club-winged manakin on National Geographic News.

Make a bird feeder to feed hungry birds in your area this winter.

Comments

emshemie3
November 13, 2009, 2:42 pm

Well, I am a person that does not appreciate violin music very much….That is an odd bird! I wonder how long it took for that bird`s music to sound great to females. Any instrument does not sound good when it is first played by an amateur!
Catzrcool
November 14, 2009, 11:54 am

Yea, I don’t really care for violin music, but that bird really does sound like one!!
french fries
November 14, 2009, 1:02 pm

Thats cool singing with wings!
french fries
November 15, 2009, 10:27 am

so cool if i see one in my back yard i would keep it as a pet! wouldnt u.
Jolly
November 15, 2009, 9:11 pm

using its wings to sing. that is just way to cool! i wish i had wings that could do that! I would talk forever and ever and be amazing at it. then i could be in the orchestra.

✰ Jolly ✰
emerald11
November 16, 2009, 5:48 pm

The songbird sings greatly! I don’t know how that singing would crack a window!
rigabamboo
November 16, 2009, 8:28 pm

WOW! that is soooo cool! i wish i could do that! only if i were a bird!
summergirl
November 17, 2009, 5:28 pm

Does this bird do lyabies too! lol! I am so sorry but it is not as amazing as twilight but i guess it is cool.
geewiz2
November 17, 2009, 11:25 pm

that’s coral but i want to hear the bird not people talking
AnimalLuvr04
November 18, 2009, 5:17 pm

Cool bird! I am one for ANY violinist, and this sounds AWESOME! Awesome crest, little birdy!