Study Finds Bare-Throated Bellbird and Red-Legged Seriema Among World's Loudest Birds
On September 29, the journal Evolution published a study highlighting that two species from South America—the bare-throated bellbird and the red-legged seriema—emit calls that surpass 120 decibels, akin to the sound of a jackhammer. The research, spearheaded by João Menezes and co-author Jeffrey Podos at UMass Amherst, commenced during the Covid-19 lockdowns. In Brazil, fieldwork documented 123 bird species, although amplitude data had only been accessible for ten. The bare-throated bellbird's call reached an impressive nearly 131 decibels, while the red-legged seriema averaged close to 121 decibels. Connor Wood from Cornell University remarked that reliable amplitude data could support conservation efforts, and Nathan Senner from UMass Amherst highlighted the significance of understanding amplitude evolution for bird adaptation.
Key facts
- The bare-throated bellbird and red-legged seriema produce calls exceeding 120 decibels, on par with a jackhammer
- The study was published September 29 in the journal Evolution
- Lead author João Menezes conducted the research while at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Co-author Jeffrey Podos is an evolutionary biologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
- The project began in Amherst, Massachusetts, during the Covid-19 lockdowns
- Amplitude data was collected on 123 bird species between December 2018 and January 2025
- The dusky-throated hermit hummingbird registered 64 decibels, about the volume of normal conversation
- The bare-throated bellbird's loudest individual call reached nearly 131 decibels, while the red-legged seriema averaged nearly 121 decibels and the white bellbird peaked at 127 decibels
Entities
Artists
- João Menezes
- Jeffrey Podos
- Connor Wood
- Nathan Senner
- Taylor Mitchell Brown
- Meghan Bartels
- Amarachi Orie
- Barbara Moran
- Sarah Kuta
Institutions
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Evolution
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- CNN
- WBUR
- Cornell University
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- Brazil
- United States
- Amherst
- Massachusetts
- South America
- Longmont
- Colorado