Smithornis: Sir Andrew Smith (1797–1872), Scottish surgeon, zoologist, ethnologist, explorer in South Africa; Greek: ορνις ornis, ορνιθος ornithos "bird"[5] The species in genus Smithornis lack the vocal ability that many other birds possess.

The typical behavior includes a short circular flight off of the perch and back on again, the vibration of the wings producing the sound.

The behavior may be related to courtship; the male produces the sound while flashing a white patch on its back when females are present.

[7][8] The sound is made by all species of Smithornis; in S. capensis both sexes perform the behavior, but in S. rufolateralis only the male does so.

A recent study tested the assumption by using high-speed video and audio recordings, which indicated that coverts 6 and 7 were actually producing the sound.