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.
So, uh, where can I get some of this, uh, plumage. By the way, during your travel of the net if you should come across a pretty much solid parrot green bird, in size between a parakeet and a parrot would you link it to me? Also, your swan coverage is inexplicably inspiring to me. I don't suppose anyone got visual coverage of the actual pure breed take down? Thanks for the bird info.
|
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
So, uh, where can I get some of this, uh, plumage. By the way, during your travel of the net if you should come across a pretty much solid parrot green bird, in size between a parakeet and a parrot would you link it to me? Also, your swan coverage is inexplicably inspiring to me. I don't suppose anyone got visual coverage of the actual pure breed take down? Thanks for the bird info.
- jimlouis 5-19-2000 1:51 am [add a comment]