birdnote q&a: bird songs and calls demystified

“You may not (yet) know the difference between a bird’s song and its calls,” says Ellen, “but the bird sure does. It’s often sending a special message to another bird–or other birds–of its species.”

In the Q&A that follows, Ellen’s answers contain green links to audio files from BirdNote’s archive that you won’t want to miss, since we’re talking sound this time. I recommend making a big pot of tea, and planning to spend some time with these answers and the corresponding sounds–it’s like a beginner’s course in birding by ear. Enjoy.

Q.  OK, I’ll take the bait, Ellen: What’s a bird call versus a song?

A. Naturalist and writer Jules Evens, explains: “Bird song, usually produced by the male, is an advertisement of territory and breeding availability, and, in most species, is limited to the breeding season … to stimulate and synchronize sexual behavior (seduction), and to proclaim vigor and dominance. …

“Bird calls tend to be unmusical, acoustically simpler, and less complex than the proclamatory songs, and they serve a variety of practical, non-sexual functions … to communicate whereabouts between pairs or among members of a flock, warning sounds, sharp notes to intimidate or drive away enemies, and begging pleas.”

Listen in: Here’s some out-loud proof of the difference.