Birds and Their Unique Sounds

A Cornell University study led by Kimberly Boswick has identified a bird species, the club-winged mannequin, that uses its wing feathers to produce singing sounds. The research, conducted in an Andean cloud forest, shows that the bird vibrates its wings at over 100 cycles per second, twice the speed of hummingbirds. Using lasers, the team found that the club-shaped feathers vibrate at 1500 Hz, matching the sound frequency produced by the bird. Boswick suggests that other birds might also use their wings to create sounds and calls for further research. The study also draws parallels between the club-winged mannequin and arthropods like the cinet moth and crickets, which use their wings to produce sounds.

What unique ability does the club-winged mannequin possess?

• It changes color to attract mates.

• It creates singing sounds with its wing feathers.

• It can fly at supersonic speeds.

• It can mimic human speech.

Where is the club-winged mannequin primarily found?

• In the Arctic tundra

• In the Amazon rainforest

• In the Andean cloud forest

• In the Sahara Desert

What tool did Boswick's team use to study the mannequin's feather vibrations?

• Microscopes

• Lasers

• Telescopes

• Radars

At what frequency do the club-winged mannequin's feathers vibrate?

• 1500 Hz

• 2000 Hz

• 500 Hz

• 100 Hz

What does Boswick theorize about other birds?

• They can fly faster than hummingbirds.

• They can all mimic human speech.

• They might also use their wings to produce sounds.

• They are all related to the club-winged mannequin.

Which arthropods are mentioned as using their wings to produce sounds?

• Cinet moth and crickets

• Ants and beetles

• Spiders and scorpions

• Butterflies and bees