Great stuff, I love it. Are the song files pretty accurate, I mean, is there much variation in the way they sing, does it change when they move through different regions during migration? And have there been studies done which would suggest what might happen if I played a recorded loop of the chattering and singing of several different kinds of birds out a window near some trees? Might it attract birds, repel them, or just make the neighbors remark, "what is that crazy sumbitch up to now?"
Of course I guess you answered that question about the variation of song when you first mentioned about the one bird imitating the other, hmm, wonder if that's where I got the idea?
There can be a lot of variation in the song of a given species, both regional and individual. Their main uses seem to be in attracting mates and maintaining territory. During migration, the birds sing a lot less than they will when they reach their breeding grounds. There they really go at it, the males getting into vocal and physical altercations. The females usually don’t sing, although it happens in some species, like the Cardinal. They all make a variety of other, less complex, sounds: flight calls, chip notes, alarms, and such. Some people can identify birds from the one note “chip” that they routinely sound while going about their business. I’m just beginning to learn a few of the migrants’ songs, and to separate warbler notes from the local background, but the idea of really knowing each species is mind-boggling (then again, think how many rock bands can you instantly identify). The songs have enough consistency of tone, pitch and phrasing that a practiced listener can identify a species across a fair range of variation. Each species has its own idiosyncrasies; some are very consistent, others seem to revel in improvisation. Some do imitations of other birds. Some individuals are “better” than others of their species, with larger repertoires and more variation. Studies suggest that these birds get more mates, sort of like rock stars.
I’ve been lucky enough to actually see a number of migrants singing. Short of that, you can buy CDs of them, or have recourse to the traditional mnemonics. These render the songs into words or phrases which may or may not be helpful. That Cornell page had the Ovenbird’s “teacher, teacher, teacher”, which works better for me than the Towhee’s “drink your tea” (on the same page). I did learn the White-throated Sparrow’s “peabody, peabody” from the mnemonic, but I don’t hear the alternate “canada, canada”. It’s kind of like picking voices out of the wind. I’d describe the Sparrow’s song as a whistle, and I don’t think a whistle can contain either a "p" or a "c(k)" sound.
Use of bird calls or imitations on the breeding ground is considered bad form, as it may interfere with nesting. Under other circumstances, they may be useful. Some “inquisitive” species may be coaxed from cover by such ruses, but unless you are in breeding plumage, this will only get you so far.
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- jimlouis 5-17-2000 5:22 am
Of course I guess you answered that question about the variation of song when you first mentioned about the one bird imitating the other, hmm, wonder if that's where I got the idea?
- jimlouis 5-17-2000 5:57 am [5 comments]
There can be a lot of variation in the song of a given species, both regional and individual. Their main uses seem to be in attracting mates and maintaining territory. During migration, the birds sing a lot less than they will when they reach their breeding grounds. There they really go at it, the males getting into vocal and physical altercations. The females usually don’t sing, although it happens in some species, like the Cardinal. They all make a variety of other, less complex, sounds: flight calls, chip notes, alarms, and such. Some people can identify birds from the one note “chip” that they routinely sound while going about their business. I’m just beginning to learn a few of the migrants’ songs, and to separate warbler notes from the local background, but the idea of really knowing each species is mind-boggling (then again, think how many rock bands can you instantly identify). The songs have enough consistency of tone, pitch and phrasing that a practiced listener can identify a species across a fair range of variation. Each species has its own idiosyncrasies; some are very consistent, others seem to revel in improvisation. Some do imitations of other birds. Some individuals are “better” than others of their species, with larger repertoires and more variation. Studies suggest that these birds get more mates, sort of like rock stars.
I’ve been lucky enough to actually see a number of migrants singing. Short of that, you can buy CDs of them, or have recourse to the traditional mnemonics. These render the songs into words or phrases which may or may not be helpful. That Cornell page had the Ovenbird’s “teacher, teacher, teacher”, which works better for me than the Towhee’s “drink your tea” (on the same page). I did learn the White-throated Sparrow’s “peabody, peabody” from the mnemonic, but I don’t hear the alternate “canada, canada”. It’s kind of like picking voices out of the wind. I’d describe the Sparrow’s song as a whistle, and I don’t think a whistle can contain either a "p" or a "c(k)" sound.
Use of bird calls or imitations on the breeding ground is considered bad form, as it may interfere with nesting. Under other circumstances, they may be useful. Some “inquisitive” species may be coaxed from cover by such ruses, but unless you are in breeding plumage, this will only get you so far.
- alex 5-18-2000 7:38 am [1 comment]