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Most of the time, male birds sing for two
reasons: 1.) To attract a mate. 2.) To proclaim
a territory. Many birds can be recognized
by their song. Sometimes, some birds (especially
thrushes and flycatchers) look so similar
that the only way to tell them apart is
by song. Some bird songs, such as those
of the Wood Thrush and Hermit Thrush, are
so beautiful, that they have been written
about by famous poets. The following words
about the Wood Thrush song are from the
famous poet Henry David Thoreau
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thrush alone declares the immortal wealth
and vigor that is in the forest. Here
is a bird in whose strain the story
is told... Whenever a man hears it he
is young, and Nature is in her spring;
whenever he hears it, it is a new world
and a free country, and the gates of
heaven are not shut against him."
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Many
birds songs can be recognized because they
sound somewhat like human words. For example,
the Tufted Titmouse will sing "Peter,
Peter, Peter...." and the Eastern Towhee
will sing "Drink your teaaaa...".
Listen to some sample bird songs below.
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