There are a number of birds whose cries sound similar to their names. This phenomenon, known as onomatopoeia, allows us to easily associate certain birds with the sounds they make. Some examples of birds with onomatopoeic names include the cuckoo, the whip-poor-will, and the bobwhite. In this article, we will explore some of the birds whose cries resemble their namesakes and discuss why this occurs. We will also examine how onomatopoeic names can aid in bird identification and appreciation.
Birds With Onomatopoeic Names
Here are some common birds with names that sound like their call:
Cuckoo
The call of the cuckoo is a simple two-note sound, with the second note higher pitched. This has led to their name being spelled as both “cuckoo” and “coocoo” in onomatopoeic fashion. There are several species of cuckoo, including the common cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo, and black-billed cuckoo. However, they all make a similar simple two note call. Fun fact: cuckoos are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. When the cuckoo chick hatches, it pushes the other eggs out of the nest.
Whip-poor-will
The whip-poor-will is a nocturnal bird whose call consists of a series of “whip” and “poor” notes, with a trilled “will” at the end. Their vocalizations perfectly match their name. Whip-poor-wills can be found in forests and woodlands of North America. They get their name from the whip-poor-will song they sing at night.
Chickadee
Chickadees are small perching birds with big personalities common across North America. Their most recognizable call is a simple two-note “chick-a-dee-dee” song. The number of “dee” notes can vary, but the simple “chick-a” intro remains consistent. There are several species of chickadee including the black-capped chickadee, Carolina chickadee, and boreal chickadee.
Bobwhite
The northern bobwhite is a plump little bird with a whistled “bob-WHITE” call. They can be found in open brushy habitat often calling back and forth to each other while hidden in the bushes. “Bob White!” is a familiar summer sound across eastern North America.
Killdeer
Killdeer are shorebirds that live in open fields, golf courses, and wetlands across North America. They are named for their loud “kill-DEER” call which they use to defend their nesting sites. The killdeer’s call often sounds like they are saying their name.
Why Do Bird Names Sound Like Their Calls?
There are a few key reasons why many birds have been given onomatopoeic names that resemble their vocalizations:
Mimicking bird sounds in language
Onomatopoeia allows us to translate the sounds of nature into written and spoken language. By mimicking the “cuckoo”, “whip-poor-will” and “chick-a-dee-dee” bird calls in their names, we are able to phonetically capture their sounds using words. This helps form a symbolic representation of the bird calls that aids recognition.
Regional dialects influencing naming
Regional accents and dialects have influenced how bird names are spelled to capture their sounds. For example, chickadees in the UK are called “titmice” because “chick-a-dee-dee” reminded people of how “titmouse” sounds in British English. Accents affect how we interpret the sounds we hear.
Easy to remember names
Mimicking bird vocalizations in language creates bird names that are easy to remember. This aids in learning bird species based on their recognizable calls. The names act as auditory cues that stick in our minds and help with identification.
Desire for descriptive names
Early naturalists and scientists wanted to describe birds by characteristic features. Their calls provided an obvious trait to include in descriptive naming. This led to many species getting named after the sounds they make.
Using Onomatopoeic Names for Bird Identification
The onomatopoeic quality of many bird names makes them easier to associate with the living birds. Here are some ways their names aid identification:
Linking names to calls
When you hear a “bob-WHITE!” call in the summertime, you immediately know it’s a bobwhite. The name links directly to the sound. This works well for many common birds like chickadees, cuckoos and whip-poor-wills.
Remembering vocal descriptions
“Kill-DEER, kill-DEER” makes it easy to remember the killdeer’s noisy call when defending its nest. Describing the sound in the name creates a memory hook for identification.
Mnemonics for visual ID
The names can help with visual identification too. For example, remembering “white” is part of the bobwhite’s name can aid with confirming its white underparts. The name becomes an identification mnemonic.
Linking regional dialects
Regional name variants like “bobwhite” vs. “bobwhite quail” allow the bird’s widespread range across different dialects to aid identification.
Appreciating Birds Through Their Onomatopoeic Names
The onomatopoeic names given to many birds also allows us to gain a greater appreciation for avian vocalizations:
Humanizing birds through language
Giving birds human-sounding names provides a sense of kinship with nature. We relate to these whimsical names that add character and personality to the birds.
Noticing vocal attributes more
Thinking of the birds by their calls draws our attention to listening and appreciating the sounds of nature. It encourages mindfulness of avian vocalizations.
Linking language arts and nature
Onomatopoeic bird names fuse language arts and the natural world. These creative descriptors paint a vivid picture of the living birds.
Understanding cultural perspectives
Learning how different cultures phonetically spelled the bird calls in their language provides insight into different regional natural histories.
Fun Examples of Birds Named After Their Calls
Here are some more unusual and fun examples of birds with onomatopoeic names:
Potoo
This nocturnal bird from South America and the Caribbean gets its name from its haunting, repetitive “poh-TOOO” call that rises in pitch.
Morepork
Moreporks are a species of owl from New Zealand. Their name comes from their two-tone call that sounds like “more-pork.”
Poorwill
Poorwills are a type of nightjar bird found in western North America. They are named for their distinctive “poor-will” call.
Bobolink
Bobolinks are grassland birds of North America. The male gives a bubbling song that sounds like “Bob-o-link” giving the bird its name.
Kookaburra
Kookaburras are a famous laughing jackal-like bird from Australia. Their “kook-kook-kook-ka-ka-ka” call echoes through the bush.
Bar-shouldered Dove
This dove from Australia makes a peaceful “woop-woop” sound. Its name comes from the phrase “bar-shouldered woo-hoop.”
Conclusion
In summary, many birds have been given descriptive onomatopoeic names that mimic their vocalizations. The cuckoo, whip-poor-will, and chickadee are classic examples of birds with names that sound like their calls. Onomatopoeic naming allows us to translate bird sounds into language, aiding memory and identification. Linking bird names to their sounds also fosters appreciation for avian vocalizations and creates a whimsical human connection with nature. So next time you hear a “bob-WHITE!” or “chick-a-dee-dee”, take a moment to appreciate how their fun names reflect the living birds.
