Is there a difference between bird song and bird call?

Birds use vocalizations for a variety of reasons, from defending their territory to attracting mates. While we tend to use the terms “bird song” and “bird call” interchangeably, there are some key differences between songs and calls in the avian world.

What is bird song?

Bird songs are longer, more complex vocalizations used primarily for courtship and mating. Songs are learned from other birds and allow male birds to attract females and defend their nesting areas. The ability to develop complex songs shows fitness and brain power in potential mates.

Some key features of bird songs:

• Longer in duration, can last up to 30 seconds or more
• More melodious and complex
• Learned vocalizations
• Primarily used during breeding season to define territory and attract mates
• Produced mostly by male birds
• Regional dialects develop between populations

The European starling is known for its ability to mimic other bird songs and incorporate them into its own repertoire. The lyrebird of Australia also mimics sounds from its environment, including other bird calls and even chainsaws!

What is a bird call?

In contrast, bird calls tend to be simpler vocalizations used to communicate messages other than courtship. Calls are not learned but are innate behaviors passed down genetically.

Some key features of bird calls:

• Shorter in duration, often under a second
• Less complex and melodious
• Innate vocalizations, not learned
• Used for a variety of reasons like alarms, keeping groups together, announcing flight, etc.
• Used by both males and females
• Do not vary much between populations

Examples of common bird calls include the “chirp” of sparrows, the “caw” of crows, and the “honk” of geese. These vocalizations are simple and communicate basic messages shared across the species.

Song vs call: Key differences

Here is a summary of the key differences between bird songs and bird calls:

Purposes of bird song

Bird songs serve several important purposes, especially during mating season:

• Defining territory – Songs communicate the boundaries of nesting territories and warn rival males to stay away.
• Mate attraction – Birds with the most complex songs tend to attract more mates during courtship.
• Signaling fitness – The ability to learn elaborate songs demonstrates brainpower and fitness to potential mates.
• Bonding – Duets between mated pairs help maintain the pair bond.
• Guarding mate – Males will sing when their mate is out of sight to warn rivals she is taken.

Songs also provide identification between species. The songs and calls of each bird species are unique.

Purposes of bird calls

In contrast to songs, bird calls have a wider variety of uses:

• Alarms and alerts – Calls like the chickadee’s “chick-a-dee-dee” alert other birds to potential predators.
• Staying in contact – Contact calls help birds keep track of each other while moving through foliage.
• Announcing flight – Geese honk to alert others before taking off in flight.
• Begging for food – Young birds use repetitive calls to tell parents they are hungry.
• Expressing aggression – Calls communicate aggression between territorial birds.
• Group cohesion – Calls help with flock cohesion during migration.

Calls allow birds to essentially “talk” to each other for a variety of reasons besides courtship.

How do birds produce song and call sounds?

Both songs and calls are produced by specialized avian vocal organs:

• The syrinx – The avian equivalent of the larynx or voice box in mammals. It contains sound-producing membranes that vibrate to create vocalizations.
• The tract – The trachea and oesophagus. Birds can independently control each side, allowing more complex calls.
• The beak – Shapes sound waves into specific frequencies. Size and shape affect vocal resonance.

The syrinx allows birds to control song elements like pitch, volume, timbre, and vibrato. The muscles surrounding it are well developed in songbirds.

Physical adaptations like specialized beak shape also influence the sounds birds can produce. Hawks use a high-pitched “keeeeee” scream for hunting in open skies. Thick-beaked finches use their beaks like musical instruments to create elaborate mating songs.

Song learning in birds

Most birds have a genetic predisposition to sing certain song types. However, songs still require learning through imitation and practice:

• Young male birds listen to adult mentors and memorize their songs.
• They then practice singing, starting with subpar versions called “subsong.”
• Over time, the young bird matches its mentor’s song more closely.
• Some birds even mimic sounds from other species and incorporate them.
• If a mentor is not present, songs will be less structured.

Both sides of the brain are involved in this vocal learning process. The left side controls song production while the right side focuses on sound processing and memory.

Regional bird song dialects

Within a species, regional variations in bird songs have been observed between populations. These “dialects” develop over generations due to young birds mimicking local tutors.

For example, the songs of white-crowned sparrows in San Francisco differ consistently from the songs of the same species in Seattle. However, playing a Seattle song in San Francisco does not alter the local dialect – young birds stick to mimicking their own population.

Dialects help birds distinguish their own population from intruders. Females of some species even prefer males that sing the local dialect.

The power of bird song

Despite their small size, some songbirds can be heard up to a mile away by rivals. The record may be held by the screaming piha of the Amazon whose call carries over 4.5 miles of rainforest.

Bird song power comes from both loudness and pitch. Some adaptations include:

• Extra large syrinx – found in screaming pihas
• High-pitched songs – more easily heard over distance
• Lower-pitched endings – carry further than high notes
• Repetition – makes songs stand out over background noise

Birds at higher latitudes also tend to have more powerful songs to be heard over cold, windy conditions.

Threats to birdsong

Unfortunately, birdsong is declining in many habitats due to:

• Habitat loss – Less suitable nesting areas
• Urban noise pollution – Songs masked by traffic, machinery, etc
• Invasive species – Species that outcompete songbirds
• Climate change – Mismatch between peak food and breeding
• Light pollution – Artificial light affects natural rhythms

Research shows species like the ovenbird singing louder in cities just to be heard. Even national parks are impacted by noise from air tours and traffic. Protecting quiet, natural areas can help preserve birdsong diversity.

Conclusion

In summary, bird songs and bird calls serve different communicative purposes in the avian world. While we may lump them together in casual conversation, ornithologists recognize distinct characteristics and uses for songs versus calls.

Songs are longer, more melodic vocalizations used primarily for courtship and mating. They are learned behaviors that vary across regions. Calls tend to be shorter and simpler, serving functions like alarms, flock communication, and begging for food. Understanding bird vocalizations provides insight into avian behavior and ecology.

Whether it’s the musical song of a meadowlark or the familiar chickadee call, birdsong and bird call add beauty and interest to the natural world. Protecting birdsong diversity ensures future generations can still enjoy these sounds of nature.