Scientists Identify the Loudest Birds on the Planet — Both From Brazil

A new scientific study has identified the loudest birds in nature, and both come from Brazil. Researchers singled out two species as the noisiest: the bare-throated bellbird and the red-legged seriema.

Louder Than Machines

According to the study's findings, the sounds produced by these birds exceed the noise levels of well-known loud sources such as elephants, jackhammers and chain saws. That places both species among the loudest living creatures and phenomena known in nature.

Two Very Different Species

The bare-throated bellbird and the red-legged seriema are two distinct Brazilian bird species, both recognized in the study for their exceptionally loud calls. The fact that these two unrelated species reach such high noise levels suggests that sound intensity in nature can reach striking extremes, even rivaling large mammals or industrial equipment.

The research raises broader questions about how loud animal-produced sounds can get, offering a new perspective on how birds use sound for communication and territorial defense. The findings show that relatively small animals — birds — can generate noise levels that compete with far larger creatures or mechanical devices.

The study's authors have not publicly detailed specific decibel measurements or their full methodology in the available summary, but the conclusion that these two species stand out for their loudness is clear. The discovery adds to scientific understanding of natural soundscapes and could inform future research into bird behavior and communication within South American ecosystems.