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Nature's Loudest: New Bird Record
29 Sep
Summary
- Two bird species exceed 120 decibels, rivaling jackhammers.
- Bird call loudness correlates with body size and mouth width.
- New research may lead to discovery of even louder birds.
Two bird species, the bare-throated bellbird and the red-legged seriema, have emerged as new contenders for the title of the world's loudest bird. Researchers recorded their songs exceeding 120 decibels, a volume comparable to that of a jackhammer. This finding challenges previous records and highlights the incredible vocal capabilities found in nature.
The study, which measured the vocalizations of 123 bird species between December 2018 and January 2025, identified a correlation between bird size and call loudness. Larger species with broader mouths were found to sing more loudly, likely due to greater muscle capacity and sound radiation.
While the bare-throated bellbird achieved the single loudest individual call, the definition of 'loudest' remains complex, depending on measurement criteria. Future research is expected to uncover even more exceptionally loud avian species, continuing to expand our understanding of bird vocalizations.
