Songs and calls of birds pdf

SONGS AND CALLS INSONGS AND CALLS IN
BIRDSBIRDS
PRESENTED BYPRESENTED BY
MAYUR SHARAD SHITOLE
MSC-II, ZY2017-28
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY,
SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY,
PUNE.

1)Only1)Only a few species of birds have no voicea few species of birds have no voice––storks, pelicans, and some vulturesstorks, pelicans, and some vultures..
2) Most2) Most birds produce some sort of vocal sound.The Passeriformes (birds produce some sort of vocal sound.The Passeriformes (perchingperching
birds, songbirdsbirds, songbirds) are noted for their singing) are noted for their singing ability.ability.
3)3) Many birds are restricted to vocal sounds rather than songs orMany birds are restricted to vocal sounds rather than songs or calls.calls.
Mycteria leucocephala(Stork) White pelican Songbird

CallCall––
A brief sound of simple acoustic structure- a peep,
cheep, squawk, chatter, etc..
SongSong ––
A relatively long, often melodious, series of
notes usually associated with some aspect of
courtship.

The vocal organ of birds is composed of membranes located at the junctionThe vocal organ of birds is composed of membranes located at the junction
of the bronchi and called theof the bronchi and called the syrinxsyrinx..
When a bird sings, air from the lungs is forced through theWhen a bird sings, air from the lungs is forced through the syrinxsyrinx and airand air
passing over the membranes causes a sound.passing over the membranes causes a sound.
EitherEither one of the two membranes, or both, may be used in singing. Since twoone of the two membranes, or both, may be used in singing. Since two
different sounds may be produced, the variation in both loudness and frequency isdifferent sounds may be produced, the variation in both loudness and frequency is
enormous.enormous.
Vocal organs in birds Bird sound sheet

*The*The songbirds have the greatest number of musclessongbirds have the greatest number of muscles
in thein the syrinxsyrinx (4(4--9 pairs) while most other bird groups9 pairs) while most other bird groups
have only one pair.have only one pair.
*In*In general, the complexity of thegeneral, the complexity of the syringialsyringial muscles ismuscles is
related to the complexity of the songs a bird canrelated to the complexity of the songs a bird can
produce.produce.produce.produce.
*But*But there are exceptions such as the American Crow,there are exceptions such as the American Crow,
which has seven pairs ofwhich has seven pairs of syringialsyringial muscles but a limitedmuscles but a limited
voice.voice.
*Parrots*Parrots on the other hand, can mimic the humanon the other hand, can mimic the human
voice and only have three pairs ofvoice and only have three pairs of syringialsyringial muscles.muscles.

FunctionFunction ofof Song:Song:--
BirdBird songs are basically related to reproductive activities insongs are basically related to reproductive activities in
one way or another.one way or another.
CallsCalls may be related to reproductive or selfmay be related to reproductive or self--maintenancemaintenance
activities. Some specific functions of song:activities. Some specific functions of song:
11.. Proclaim sex/induce another bird to reveal its sexProclaim sex/induce another bird to reveal its sex..
There is a correlation between the complexity of theThere is a correlation between the complexity of the
song and dull plumage and little or no sexual dimorphism.The dullersong and dull plumage and little or no sexual dimorphism.The duller
the plumage and/or the more the sexes look alike, the morethe plumage and/or the more the sexes look alike, the morethe plumage and/or the more the sexes look alike, the morethe plumage and/or the more the sexes look alike, the more
complex the song (e.g. Song Sparrows).complex the song (e.g. Song Sparrows).
Song Sparrow

2.2.Attract aAttract a mate:mate:--
True for many species.True for many species.
33.. Establish aEstablish a territoryterritory::--
OftenOften, males arrive on the breeding grounds, males arrive on the breeding grounds
before the females (e.g. Redbefore the females (e.g. Red--winged andYellowwinged andYellow--headedheaded
Blackbirds); singing establishes the territory and maintainsBlackbirds); singing establishes the territory and maintains
it later.it later.it later.it later.
Red-winged blackbird Yellow-headed blackbird

4.4. Stimulate and synchronize courtshipStimulate and synchronize courtship behavior:behavior:--
IndicatesIndicates readiness to breed by both sexes.readiness to breed by both sexes.
55.. Maintain pairMaintain pair bond:bond:--
A female Song Sparrow will come off the nest and sing back to her mate.A female Song Sparrow will come off the nest and sing back to her mate.
66.. Signal changes in domesticSignal changes in domestic duties:duties:--
May trade feeding or incubation duties, signaled by song.May trade feeding or incubation duties, signaled by song.
77.. Identify individual toIdentify individual to young:young:--
MostMost precocialprecocial birds can recognize their own youngbirds can recognize their own young –– waterfowl and penguins, e.g.waterfowl and penguins, e.g.
Experiments with Mallards indicate that communication between the female and youngExperiments with Mallards indicate that communication between the female and young
begins before hatching.begins before hatching.begins before hatching.begins before hatching.
Waterfowl Penguins

8.8.“Species”“Species” identification:identification:--
AA song or call may be given tosong or call may be given to identify aidentify a bird of the samebird of the same
species or population.species or population.
9.9. Hold flockHold flock together:together:--
CallsCalls, usually, but often songs, are used to coordinate the, usually, but often songs, are used to coordinate the
movement of a flock; e.g. Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee.movement of a flock; e.g. Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee.
Pygmy Nuthatch Mountain Chickadee

10.10. IntimidateIntimidate enemies:enemies:--
May be use to scare predators.May be use to scare predators.
11.11.To perfect song throughTo perfect song through practice:practice:--
Often, complex songs are learned throughOften, complex songs are learned through
imitation and practice.imitation and practice.
12.“12.“Because they enjoyBecause they enjoy itit“:“:--ProbablyProbably notnot

*Basically*Basically a bird’s song is a very specific type ofa bird’s song is a very specific type of
communication.communication.
*If*If a predatory bird is perched conspicuously in a tree smalla predatory bird is perched conspicuously in a tree small
birds will often make themselves known by a behaviorbirds will often make themselves known by a behavior
calledcalled mobbingmobbing; they set up a chorus of calls around the predator; they set up a chorus of calls around the predator
to point it out and perhaps chase it away.to point it out and perhaps chase it away.
*But*But if the predator is flying overhead, the small birds race toif the predator is flying overhead, the small birds race to
the nearest bush or tree and utter their calls from there.the nearest bush or tree and utter their calls from there.
Blackbird mobbing the hawk on the nest Mobbing during flying

*The*The calls may be very differentcalls may be very different..
*In*In the case of Chaffinches, they mob a predator with lowthe case of Chaffinches, they mob a predator with low
pitched sounds described as ‘pitched sounds described as ‘chinkchink’ calls. But when they are in’ calls. But when they are in
cover, the birds give a highcover, the birds give a high--pitched thin note called a ‘pitched thin note called a ‘seeetseeet’ call’ call
which causes the birds to seek cover.which causes the birds to seek cover.
* The* The difference is that the chink note is easy to locatedifference is that the chink note is easy to locate
because of its low frequencies that differ in phase while thebecause of its low frequencies that differ in phase while the
seeetseeet call is composed of high frequencies which don’t allow itcall is composed of high frequencies which don’t allow it
to be located because it is composed of high frequencies withto be located because it is composed of high frequencies with
little phase difference.little phase difference.
to be located because it is composed of high frequencies withto be located because it is composed of high frequencies with
little phase difference.little phase difference.
Chaffinches

*Many*Many birds have warning calls that are speciesbirds have warning calls that are species--specific. Crowsspecific. Crows
give a warning call that will frighten away only other crowsgive a warning call that will frighten away only other crows –– thisthis
call has been recorded and used to scare other crows fromcall has been recorded and used to scare other crows from
cornfields.cornfields.
*Starlings*Starlings roost in trees in cities and can be pests; they can alsoroost in trees in cities and can be pests; they can also
be driven away by speciesbe driven away by species--specific callsspecific calls –– Robins and Grackles in theRobins and Grackles in the
same flock are not affected. But in other cases, such as that of thesame flock are not affected. But in other cases, such as that of the
Herring Gull, their alarm call will also scare away the Great BlackHerring Gull, their alarm call will also scare away the Great Black--
backed and the Laughing Gulls.backed and the Laughing Gulls.backed and the Laughing Gulls.backed and the Laughing Gulls.
Starlings American robin bird Herring Gull

Common Grackle( South Dakota) Great black backed Gull Laughing GullCommon Grackle( South Dakota) Great black backed Gull Laughing Gull
* Parent birds can call to their young to make them ‘freeze’ in the presence of
a predator, swim, peck at food, etc.Young birds can vocalize in such a way as to
* Parent birds can call to their young to make them ‘freeze’ in the presence of
a predator, swim, peck at food, etc.Young birds can vocalize in such a way as to
stimulate a parent to feed them, etc.
* Song is typically the function of the male, but there are many exceptions.The
female Mockingbird, Cardinal, and Black-headed Grosbeaks have songs as complex
as the males’. In the phalaropes, where sexual dimorphism and courtship roles are
reversed, the female only sings.And if females hold individual territories in the
winter, they may sing then even though they don’t sing during the breeding
season.

MockingbirdMockingbird NothernNothern CardinalCardinalMockingbirdMockingbird NothernNothern CardinalCardinal
Black headed Grosbeaks Red phalaropes

Song variationSong variation
*Each bird species exhibits a more or less characteristic song, but the song
varies by age, sex, geographic location, and time of year.
*Populations of the same species of birds having different songs are song
races; each variation in a song is a dialect.
*The white-crowned Sparrow is well-known for having many song races and
dialects.
*Geographic variation in song is very common. But within different
populations of the same species, the song is more stereotyped (less variable)populations of the same species, the song is more stereotyped (less variable)
when there are other species present with similar songs.
*But when no other species with similar songs are present, there is more
variation in the song within a population of one species. More variation is not
only allowed, but it helps the recognition of single individuals.
White Crowned Sparrow

EcologyEcology of Songof Song
*Males of many bird species use a singing post to call their mate or establish
territory from – tree. post, wire, etc.
*Other birds the live in grasslands like the Horned Lark or Bobolink have a flight
song.
*Birds living in dense vegetation such as in rainforests or thick reed beds have
loud voices since vegetation absorbs sound as well as obstructs vision.
*So birds have evolved calls and songs at least partly in response to the structure
of the habitat in which the call is given.of the habitat in which the call is given.
*Weather also has an influence on bird song. Both cool and hot weather
decrease the amount of singing, as do rain and wind.
Horned Lark Bobolink

*Most*Most birds show a seasonal variation in some that is mainly correlated withbirds show a seasonal variation in some that is mainly correlated with
breeding activities and hormone production.The richest, fullest song generallybreeding activities and hormone production.The richest, fullest song generally
comes in the spring when birds are establishing territories and courting (unmatedcomes in the spring when birds are establishing territories and courting (unmated
males sing more).After eggmales sing more).After egg--laying commences, the birds sing less so as not tolaying commences, the birds sing less so as not to
attract predators.attract predators.
*If*If a male birda male bird renestsrenests or its mate is killed, it resumes full singing. In the fallor its mate is killed, it resumes full singing. In the fall
after the breeding season, the bird stops unless it holds a winter territory.after the breeding season, the bird stops unless it holds a winter territory.
** For most species, hormones, stimulated by photoperiod, probably play aFor most species, hormones, stimulated by photoperiod, probably play a** For most species, hormones, stimulated by photoperiod, probably play aFor most species, hormones, stimulated by photoperiod, probably play a
dominant role in determining the time of year a bird sings.The injection of maledominant role in determining the time of year a bird sings.The injection of male
hormones into male birds in midhormones into male birds in mid--winter will start them singing. (Used to do thiswinter will start them singing. (Used to do this
to Canaries in pet shopsto Canaries in pet shops –– even females injected with hormones will start themeven females injected with hormones will start them
singing.)singing.)

Song MimicrySong Mimicry
* A large number of birds exhibit varying degrees of vocal
mimicry and imitate call notes of songs of other species.
*The Starling frequently mimics the Killdeer or nighthawk. Scrub
and Blue Jays can imitate a Red-tailed Hawk.
* The Mockingbird (and others in the family- Catbird, Brown
Thrasher) are well known for imitating other bird’s calls. But there is
no evidence to indicate that these calls are an attempt to
Thrasher) are well known for imitating other bird’s calls. But there is
no evidence to indicate that these calls are an attempt to
communicate with the other species.
*A Bullfinch in England was taught to whistle the English National
Anthem.
*A lyrebird in Australia learned to whistle the noon whistle at a
factory.
*Parrots, mynahs, crows, and magpies apparently only mimic in
captivity and their imitation of a human voice is very different
acoustically than the real human voice

Evolution of SongEvolution of Song
Birds evolved from voiceless reptiles.What is the evolutionary
advantage of song for it to have developed to the extent it has?
1.Alarm notes to frighten predators.
2. Finding each other in dense vegetation.2. Finding each other in dense vegetation.
3.As mobility increased with flight, the need for long-distance
communication did also.
4.As a way of keeping a group together- for protection and during
migration.

NonNon--vocal Soundsvocal Sounds
* The Passerines have the most well-developed songs and calls, but
other birds with less vocal abilities have developed other sounds.
* Kiwis stamp their feed when annoyed.
* Boat-billed Herons, Storks, and Albatrosses rattle or clap their bills.
Woodpeckers drum.
*The Ruffed Grouse drums with its wings.The nighthawk and
hummingbirds often make sounds with their wings or tails.A number of
birds make whistling sounds as they fly through the air- may or may notbirds make whistling sounds as they fly through the air- may or may not
serve a purpose
AlbatrossesBoat-billed Herons
Kiwi
Genus- Apteryx

Thank youThank you
MalabarWhistling Thrush(Myophonus horsfieldii)
( family- Muscicapidae )

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