Trivia: What's the difference between Songs and Calls? Bird calls are usually defined as short, stereotyped chips and notes, while songs are more complex and often must be learned. Birds can have a dozen or more distinct calls, which they use in specific circumstances. Almarm calls are used to signal danger, contact calls are used to locate other flock members, and flight calls keep the flock together. As with other forms of communication, bird vocalizations can convey one message to rivals and another to potential mates. The male Marsh Wren may use as many as 100 song variations. Songbirds learn to recognize the songs of their neighbors. Not all members of a species sound the same. For example, the Western Meadowlark's song is different from those in the East. Different species of Fox Sparrow sound different throughout their range and White-crowned Sparrows are said to have distinct "dialects" and a particular "song neighborhood" where local variations are learned. A number of factors affect the sound of a birds song. The song must carry well in its surroundings. Loud, low-frequency songs carry well in low, dense thickets. Loud, ringing songs carry well over the the low-frequency background noise of streams and waterfalls. Buzzy and complex songs like that of the Grasshopper Sparrow are typical of birds of the open country. Call and song mimicry is well developed in starlings, mockingbirds (shown in the image above) and thrashers. In some of these species mimicry may be a way males can quickly add new sounds to their "repertoire". This could be important if the variety of sounds is an important part of the signal. - Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior by David Allen Sibley
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