Why Do Birds Sing?
a mate will sing from one of
the highest or most conspic-
uous perches available. This
favorite spot may be used
repeatedly. On the other
hand, some birds – such
as larks, Bobolinks, and
buntings – sing while flying.
And while birds usually do
not sing around their nests,
a few may sing a quiet
“whisper song that can be
heard for only a few yards.
BY THE WILD BIRD CENTER, WEATHERFORD, TX
In the final analysis, different
birds sing different songs,
but they usually sing for the
same reasons.
And who knows, some
of these reasons might
be that they are well fed,
stress free, and what we
would anthropomorphically
describe as “happy!”
American Goldfinch-Male
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
O
ne reason we feed wild birds around our homes is
that we presume they appreciate a little help from
their friends. Another reason is that we simply enjoy
having them around. We like watching their antics,
seeing their colors and listening to them.
Birds generally sing more in the early morning and
late afternoon. While singing behavior varies among
species, most vocalizations take place during the breed-
A singing bird creates musical sounds using its syrinx.
This organ is a kind of double voice box at the bottom of
the bird’s windpipe. Where the windpipe branches into
the bird’s lungs, two sets of membranes and muscles
vibrate at high frequencies as air is exhaled. In fact,
while singing, a bird can alternate exhaling between its
lungs and thereby sing in harmony with itself!
Usually a male that is defending a territory or attracting
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Songbirds account for nearly 60% of the world’s approxi-
mately 9,600 different species and about 40 percent of
the more than 900 avian species found in North America.
For the most part, only the males “sing” – a consis-
tently repeated pattern of tones. The females of a few
species, including Northern Cardinals and Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks, occasionally break into song.
The songs of birds are learned, not inherited. If a White-
crowned Sparrow grew up with only Song Sparrows
around, it would learn Song Sparrow songs. Fledgling
birds first develop a “subsong,” that matures into an
adult primary song in about a year. Although Chipping
Sparrows have only one basic song, Song Sparrows
may have ten, some wrens may have more than 100,
and – as many of you well know – Mockingbirds seem
to have a repertoire of a couple hundred songs that are
voiced endlessly.
Each bird species is capable of making a variety of
sounds that it uses to communicate with other birds.
These sounds are songs, which usually are long and
complex, and calls, which are usually short and simple.
By encouraging birds to visit our yards, we are more
liable to hear all their vocalizations.
ing season. Lags occur during the short mating period
and when the young are being cared for. Singing usually
stops when the nesting period is over.
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