Researchers have developed a new theory to explain an Anna's Hummingbird's chirp at the base of its dive. This is something anyone in California can observe - Anna's Hummingbirds are everywhere around here - and it's something he or she can probably observe right now, as we're well into the Anna's courtship season.
Anyway, it turns out that the chirp at the base of their dive (quite distinctive, and quite loud) is actually made by vibrating their tail feathers. Since they feathers are stiff, when they spread them at about 50 mph, they vibrate like a reed in a clarinet. It sounds louder to me than anything they use their voice to produce - and Anna's Hummers are accomplished singers.
Here's a BBC Article about it.
Here's a You Tube video.
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