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\u00a9 Keith Roath \/ Macaulay Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Students will…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- increase their awareness of the sounds they hear outside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- be able to list the functions of bird calls and songs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- see evidence to evaluate hypotheses about why birds communicate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Here are the four bird vocalizations mentioned in the Bird Communication\u00a0lesson. As mentioned in the lesson, note that the meaning of many calls changes depending on the context and behavior of the bird. In particular, the\u00a0\u201cchick-a-dee-dee-dee\u201d call is very\u00a0dynamic. It can be\u00a0territorial or\u00a0an alarm or contact call. Depending on your students it may be useful to discuss which situations might change the meaning of the call. \u00a0For more information on chickadees, also see the the All About Birds website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Singing to a potential mate<\/strong><\/a>, In most of North America, the song is a simple, pure 2 or 3-note whistled “fee-bee” or “hey, sweetie.” This may also advertise the territory to other chickadees in the area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Contact call<\/strong><\/a>, chipping chickadees foraging with other birds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Danger or alarm call<\/a> <\/strong>for when a predator is nearby. An increasing numbers of “dee” notes indicates an increasing level of alarm. In this call, you can hear several chickadees joining into the chorus of alarm. Interspersed with the “chickadee-dee-dee” call are scolding, high-pitched “see” notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A territorial “gargle” sound<\/strong><\/a> given when one chickadee intrudes on another chickadee’s territory or when two chickadees in a flock get too close together or are “arguing” over food, usually given by the dominant bird.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Contact call<\/strong><\/a>, chipping chickadees foraging with other birds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Singing to a potential mate<\/strong><\/a>, In most of North America, the song is a simple, pure 2 or 3-note whistled “fee-bee” or “hey, sweetie.” This may also advertise the territory to other chickadees in the area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n