Do birds actually hear ultrasonic sounds or is that just a myth? I’ve heard varying things about this and would love to get some factual insights!
From what I understand, most birds can’t hear ultrasonic sounds because their hearing isn’t as developed in that range. It’s more of a bat thing.
That’s only partially correct. Some birds, like oilbirds and some species of swiftlets, do use echolocation, which means they can hear certain ultrasonic frequencies.
Actually, it’s been shown that those birds use echolocation that’s NOT ultrasonic. Their clicks are audible to humans, so they’re not in the ultrasonic range.
That’s a great distinction to make. Us humans often get a bit ahead of ourselves claiming other animals have super abilities!
My understanding is that most birds can’t hear in the ultrasonic range. They’re more tuned to the frequencies of their calls and songs.
Actually, research suggests that some species, like owls, might have the ability to hear ultrasonic sounds. It could help them hunt in the dark.
That makes sense for nocturnal birds. Still, the scientific consensus seems to be that most birds don’t rely on ultrasonic hearing.
But aren’t there exceptions? I recall a study mentioning that some birds react to ultrasonic alarms, suggesting a degree of ultrasonic hearing.
They might react but not necessarily hear the sound. It could be more about feeling the vibrations or seeing the response from other animals.
I think Even if they don’t “hear” ultrasonic sounds, birds are incredibly sensitive to environmental cues.
If birds did hear ultrasonic sounds, what would be the implications for their behavior? Would they avoid certain areas or change migration patterns?
I’d speculate that if birds had ultrasonic hearing, they might avoid urban areas or find it difficult to communicate amidst the noise pollution.