New research shows how brown-headed cowbirds make a watery timbre in their songs. The work focused on birds found in Utah. Scientists listened to the sounds and studied how the birds produce them.
Birds use a vocal organ called the syrinx, which has two separate sound sources on the left and right. Cowbirds create the gurgling quality by switching quickly between the two sides. The left side is much bigger, and parts of notes come from alternating left and right. The birds also control breathing: they briefly hold breath, build air pressure, and then release it to make a splash-like burst and a slow fade.
Researchers raised young starlings near cowbirds. The starlings learned to copy the cowbird sounds and used the same breathing and valve control. Studying bird vocal learning can help understand human speech.
Difficult words
- syrinx — the organ that birds use to make sound
- timbre — the unique quality or tone of a sound
- gurgle — a wet, bubbling sound like watergurgling
- alternate — moving or happening one after the otheralternating
- pressure — force of air that moves or pushes
- valve — a part that opens and closes to control flow
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever heard a bird sound like water? What did it sound like?
- Do you think animals can learn sounds from other animals? Why?
- Would you like to study animal sounds? Why or why not?
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