- Cowbirds sing a watery, bubbling song in nature.
- The sound is like small drops hitting water.
- The noise starts very fast and then slowly fades away.
- The birds make it with a special throat voice organ.
- The birds hold their breath and then suddenly release it.
- This action makes a splash-like burst of sound.
- Other birds can learn the sound and copy it too.
- Scientists studied these songs in Utah in the wild.
Difficult words
- watery — like or full of water or liquid
- bubble — to make small round pockets of airbubbling
- organ — a part of the body with a special jobthroat voice organ
- fade — to become less strong or clearfades away
- scientist — a person who studies nature and tests ideasScientists
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you heard birds sing in nature?
- Do you like the sound of birds?
- Can you copy a bird sound?
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