Birds produce a variety of vocalizations that serve different functions such as defending territories, attracting mates, signaling alarm, and communicating with one another. One type of bird vocalization is the trill, which is a series of rapid, repetitive notes that sound musical to our ears. So what kinds of birds actually produce trills? Let’s take a look at some of the bird species that are known for their trilling calls.
Songbirds with Trilling Vocalizations
Many familiar songbirds perform trills as part of their repertoire. The following are some of the most common backyard birds that trill:
- Chickadees
- Titmouse
- Nuthatches
- House Wrens
- Carolina Wrens
- Eastern Bluebirds
- American Robins
- Northern Cardinals
- Chipping Sparrows
- Song Sparrows
Chickadees, for example, have a nickname of “fee-bee” for their “fee-bee-fee-bay” trilling call. The trill serves different purposes for chickadees, including communicating contact between mates and flock members, signaling mild alarm or aggression, and defending territories.
Northern cardinals also have a very musical trill that forms part of their song repertoire during the breeding season. The males sing a loud, clear whistle followed by a trill to mark their territories and attract females. The trill vocalization in cardinals can be quite complex, with variations in pitch and rhythm.
American robins have a series of musical phrases they sing, and often end their songs with some trilled notes. Both males and females trill, with males having longer and more complex vocalizations to defend territories and court females in the spring.
Woodpeckers That Trill
While perhaps not as melodious to our ears as songbird trills, several species of woodpeckers also perform trill vocalizations. Here are some woodpeckers that have trilling calls:
- Downy Woodpeckers
- Hairy Woodpeckers
- Red-bellied Woodpeckers
- Red-headed Woodpeckers
- Northern Flickers
- Pileated Woodpeckers
For woodpeckers, the trilling serves to communicate over distances with other members of their species. For example, Downy Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpeckers sound very similar to our ears, but can distinguish each other by subtle differences in their trill patterns.
The Pileated Woodpecker has a very distinct, loud series of trilling notes that carries through the forest. This serves to communicate with mates and establish territories. The trill of a Pileated Woodpecker is often described as a “jungle call” or maniacal laugh that echoes through the trees.
Other Backyard Birds with Trills
In addition to the songbirds and woodpeckers above, there are a few other common backyard birds that vocalize with trills:
- Northern Flickers
- Eastern Phoebes
- Brown Thrashers
- House Finches
- Goldfinches
The Northern Flicker performs a loud trilling call that rises in pitch at the end. Flickers use this vocalization to communicate with mates and defend nesting territories.
Eastern Phoebes have a sharp, abrupt trilling call. Both males and females sing this call, which serves to defend territories and communicate contact.
Brown Thrashers have a huge repertoire of songs, with many incorporating trills and rolls. Their vocalizations are one of the largest of any North American songbird.
Male House Finches have a fast trilling song they use to attract females. Females also trill, but their vocalizations are less elaborate than the males’.
The familiar call of the American Goldfinch is often described as a pleasant trilling. Their vocalizations are complex and musical, using trills and variations in pitch.
Birds of Prey That Trill
While not songbirds, some birds of prey also vocalize with trills. Here are some examples:
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Red-shouldered Hawks
- Barred Owls
- Great Horned Owls
Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks both have screaming calls they use to communicate and defend territories. These calls often have trilling components mixed in.
Certain owl species also trill, using their vocalizations to communicate with mates and warn off intruders. Barred Owls make a classic “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” call with a trilling cadence. Great Horned Owls also hoot with noticeable trills.
Tropical Birds with Trilled Songs
In tropical regions, there are many species of birds that incorporate trills into their unique vocalizations. Some examples include:
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Collared Kingfisher
- Montezuma Oropendola
- Blue-crowned Motmot
- Rufous-browed Peppershrike
The Laughing Kookaburra of Australia is best known for its loud, rolling, trilling call that sounds like laughter. This serves to establish territories and attract mates.
The Collared Kingfisher found throughout Southeast Asia vocalizes with a harsh, trilling call.
Montezuma Oropendolas of Central and South America perform duets between males and females, with the male contributing trilled notes.
The Blue-crowned Motmot makes a distinctive trilled call, often while wagging its tail back and forth in a pendulum motion.
Rufous-browed Peppershrikes native to Mexico and Central America sing rapid trills used to communicate with flock members over distances.
Shorebirds with Trilling Vocalizations
Even some shorebirds vocalize with trilled calls. Examples include:
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Solitary Sandpiper
- Willet
- Upland Sandpiper
- American Woodcock
The flight call of the Spotted Sandpiper includes trilled notes.
Solitary Sandpipers give a high, whistled call with a trilled ending.
Willets make a loud, ringing call with a trilled component.
During courtship displays, male Upland Sandpipers perform a trilled vocalization.
The unusual, pulsating call of the American Woodcock is often described as a trill.
Seabirds with Trilling Vocalizations
Certain seabird species also use trilled vocalizations. Examples include:
- Kittiwakes
- Murres
- Murrelets
- Shearwaters
- Terns
Kittiwakes have a sharp, staccato call that includes trilled notes. They use this call at their cliffside colonies.
Murres and murrelets, part of the Alcid family, both vocalize with trills as contact calls at their breeding colonies.
Some species of shearwaters have eerie, shrieking calls incorporating trills.
Terns emit short, sharp alarm calls or contact calls containing trilled notes when communicating in colonies.
Other Unique Birds with Trilling Vocalizations
Some other birds with interesting trilled vocalizations include:
- Willow Ptarmigan
- Capercaillie
- Cotton Pygmy-goose
- Vermilion Flycatcher
- Scarlet Tanager
Male Willow Ptarmigan perform a repetitive trilling song during courtship displays in the subarctic regions where they live.
Male Capercaillies, a grouse species of northern Europe and Asia, sing loud, fast trills during competitive breeding displays.
The Cotton Pygmy-goose of Australia and New Guinea vocalizes with sharp, high-pitched trills.
The Vermilion Flycatcher of the American Southwest sings an upward trilling song.
The Scarlet Tanager performs a hoarse, buzzy trill amongst its other vocalizations.
Why Birds Trill
Birds trill for a variety of reasons, depending on the species. Here are some of the main purposes behind trilling vocalizations:
- Defending Territories – Trills help proclaim ownership of nesting and feeding areas. Red-winged Blackbirds are a prime example.
- Attracting Mates – Trilled songs demonstrate fitness to potential mates. Northern Cardinals use trills this way.
- Communicating – Trills allow birds to stay in contact with flock/colony members and mates over distances.
- Alarm – Trills serve as alarm calls signaling danger. Chickadees use trills this way.
- Dueting – In some species like Montezuma Oropendolas, paired males/females trill together.
- Competition – Intense trilling can signal aggression and establish dominance during competition. Capercaillies demonstrate this.
The musical, repetitive nature of trills allows them to catch attention and carry over distances. The variety of trilled vocalizations helps make bird communities diverse and fascinating to our ears.
Mimicking Bird Trills
Some people enjoy mimicking the trills of birds by whistling. While it takes practice, many songbird trills can be imitated. To try whistling a trill:
- Purse lips lightly together.
- Say “Q” to start air flowing.
- Tap tongue repeatedly just behind teeth.
- Adjust air flow and tongue speed.
You can also imitate trills with bird call whistles designed to produce clear, rapid notes. With practice, you may be able to fool birds into responding!
Conclusion
Many familiar backyard birds produce trilling vocalizations, from chickadees to woodpeckers to Northern cardinals. Birds trill for a variety of reasons depending on species, such as defending territories, attracting mates, alarming, communicating over distances, competing, and dueting. Some people enjoy mimicking these musical vocalizations by whistling. Trilled bird songs and calls add a diverse soundtrack to habitats around the world.