Songs and Calls

As I was researching the piece on Chickadees in this issue of BirdChat, I was reminded of the difference between bird songs and bird calls. I thought I would explore that subject a bit further. Here is what I learned!

A bird’s song is the repeated vocal display given by males predominantly during the breeding season; song is used to declare territory and to attract a mate. The Carolina Chickadee’s song sounds like “fee-bee fee-bay”. The Tufted Titmouse sings “peter, peter, peter”. The male hormone starts the seasonal cycle of song; weather and length of day trigger the production of the hormone. In some species, cardinals, bluebirds and song sparrows for instance, the females also sing. In other species, like hawks, owls, jays, and crows, courtship calls replace song. Woodpeckers don’t sing either, but declare their territory and attract mates by drumming on trees…or the loudest downspout on your house!

Calls are the vocal displays used by adult birds for communicating alarm, distress, threats, and assembly. The most recognizable call of the Carolina Chickadee is “chick-a-dee-dee-dee”. This call is used in the fall and winter when the Chickadees are in flocks to keep the members in touch with each other. And who hasn’t heard the raucous “jay” call when Blue Jays encounter an owl in the woods!

Most birds use call notes year round to communicate with each other; songbirds use their songs for territorial advertisement and courtship.