Birds.com: Online Birds Guide with Facts, Articles, Videos, and Photos » mimicry

Mimicking Bird Songs

Editor — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:35:38 +0000

Each bird species has its own unique sound and song, and for centuries human hunters have been devising whistles or perfecting their own whistling techniques to mimic the calls of birds. But until recently, this art was not fool proof. Now, using a rubber tube, physicists have been able to create device that imitates bird calls and, when played back, is almost the exact reproduction of the original bird call. Their simple device has proven to be a breakthrough in the mimicking of bird calls and songs, and is still being researched as they wish to improve on their device.

Different species of birds have calls that are exclusive to that species and which young birds learn from their parents. By studying the physics of bird calls and the vocal tract of birds, physicists from Harvard University, located in Massachusetts, have been able to create a simple controller to mimic certain bird calls. The rubber tube that is used is created to resemble the vocal tract of the specific bird. Then, with the assistance of a linear motor, pressure is put on the tube to resemble the contracting of the muscles, and together with the airflow produced, the researchers have been able to mimic the songs of birds. The device can be used to mimic a variety of bird calls and the patterns created by the device are as harmonious as those of real birds. Many scientists have suggested that young birds learning bird calls has a lot to do with neurological shifts, as the bird ages, but graduate student Aryesh Mukherjee from the Mahadevan Laboratory believes that the secrets to bird calls lay in the vocal tracts of each bird.

Other avenues of studying bird calls and how to mimic them are also being pursued, and Shreyas Mandre is in charge of creating digital bird calls. Working within the laboratory, this researcher is making use of mathematical models that are also very close to the real bird calls. But it is believed that with more research and time, the art or mimicking bird calls can be perfected.

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a songbird that measures nine inches in length, has a gray coloring to its head and upper body parts and a white belly. It has a long black tail that has white feathers to the outside, a white patch on its wings that is clearly seen during flight and white plumage on its wing bars. The Northern Mocking Bird has black legs and a very slender bill. It is generally, naturally, found in Florida, the Gulf Coast and in Texas. Mockingbirds are also found in San Francisco, Oregon, Hawaii, Canada and in the East. Most of these populations have been formed due to the release of caged birds, and due to human destruction of habitat the Mockingbird has found other regions to survive in.

The near extinction of the Northern Mockingbird in areas such as St Louis and Philadelphia was caused by the market for caged Mockingbirds in the 18th and 19th century. These amazing little birds were captured for their vocal talents, and it is now known that the Northern Mockingbird is capable of 200 different songs, sounds and noises. It can mimic other birds, make amphibian sounds and even copy the noises that are made by insects. The Northern Mockingbird is also known as the American Nightingale. The diet of the Northern Mockingbird can vary with the seasons but generally incorporates wild fruits such as prickly pears, blackberries, holly, poison ivy and pokeberry. They will also live close to cultivated areas to feed on grapes and other fruits that are farmed. Mockingbirds will feed on arthropods and insects through the year, but favor these food sources mostly during breeding season.

Northern Mockingbirds mate for life, but on the odd occasion they will separate during the winter months to establish a winter territory. Territories are established surrounding a food source or for breeding. Both the male and female will viciously defend their territories, as they need to protect themselves from other birds that also feed on fruit. During breeding season, these little songbirds show no fear, and will dive at any intruders, animal or human.

Northern Mockingbirds can be heard singing throughout the day and most of the year. Single males are known to sing into the night, and males tend to sing louder than the females, with the females only singing loudly when the male has left the territory. In breeding season, nests are constructed from roots, grasses, leaves and twigs, and are built in trees or shrubs. The female can lay two to six eggs that are white in color and speckled with reddish brown. The incubation period of twelve to thirteen days is attended to by the female, after which both parents will attend to the feeding of the hatched chicks. Northern Mockingbird chicks are ready to fledge the nest within twelve days.

The Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis

The Bane of Brood Parasites

Editor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:52:08 +0000

When we hear the word “parasites”, most of us would assume it is referring to an organism that feeds off another. In brood parasites, in the avian world, it works a little differently. To put in laymen’s terms, it is when one bird species lays their eggs in a different species‘ nest, so that the parasite species do not have to take care of their young. Over the years, host bird species became wise to the brood parasites, but as a parasite does not give up that easily, the brood parasites have come up with various devious plans to fool the hosts.

Brood parasitism can be found in insect species as well as fish species. But in avian species there are two different types of brood parasites. Non-obligate brood parasites will lay their eggs in host nests of the same species, such as the African Weaver and the Bank Swallow. Obligate brood parasites will lay their eggs in other species nestsm and examples of obligate brood parasites include the Bronzed Cowbird, European Cuckoos and African Honeyguides.

Host species started to notice the difference between their eggs and the parasite eggs, and began to eject them from their nests. To overcome this problem, parasite species started to mimic the host parents’ eggs, so that the difference between the host egg and parasite egg would be almost impossible to tell apart. Some parasitic species have become so advanced that they are able to mimic a variety of species eggs, such as the Brown Headed Cowbird, giving the parasite a choice of hosts. One of the most successful brood parasites is the Common Cuckoo that is able to mimic the eggs of the Meadow Pipit, Brambling, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Great Reed Warbler and Meadow Bunting to such perfection that scientists need to look at genetic markers to tell them apart.

In most cases, the parasite hatchling is much larger than the hosts’ hatchling. The parasite chick will often kill the host chick or kick it from the nest. It has even been noticed that host species are threatened into caring for the parasite hatchling. In some cases, the host has ejected the parasite chick from the nest, and in retaliation the brood parasite adult has destroyed the hosts’ nest. The aggressive behavior of the brood parasite, of which most remain close to the host nest to keep an eye on their eggs, then forces the often-smaller host to care for the parasite hatchling.

Scientists are still working on projects and studies regarding this very interest form of survival, the impact it has on the host population and trying confirm their intimidation theories across the board. But, when looking at brood parasites in general, it seems that the host species always suffers, and the only party that gains from this arrangement are the brood parasites.

The Marvelous Mimicry of the Lyrebird

Editor — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:03:20 +0000

There are two species of the ground-dwelling Australian Lyrebird: the Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) and the Albert’s Lyrebird (Menura alberti). The Superb Lyrebird is the larger of the two species and is found in the wet forest areas of New South Wales and Victoria, as well as in Tasmania where is was introduced by man in the 19th century. The Albert’s Lyrebird is found exclusively in a small area of rainforest in Southern Queensland. Albert’s Lyrebird was named in honor of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.

Australia’s Lyrebirds are wary creatures which dodge and run through forest underbrush in an attempt not to be seen. Although they do not fly as such, their wings assist them in running and jumping up onto rocks and into low branches where they roost at night.

The male lyrebird’s tail, when it is displayed, resembles a lyre (harp-like musical instrument) with the two outer large brown and white feathers forming the frame and the thinner inner feathers resembling the strings, resulting in the name of Lyrebird. Apart from the male’s unusual tail feathers, the lyrebird is a rather unremarkable looking bird, about the size of a chicken and brown in color. In mating season, however, this feathered suitor puts on a display that his prospective mate finds irresistible. In order to be seen clearly, he piles up a small heap of soil, which he stands on. Then he spreads his tail up and over his head in the distinctive lyre shape at the beginning of his courtship dance. As he is dancing about he sings his own song, as well as mimicking other birds and various surrounding noises.

This ability to mimic just about anything, from the call of any other bird to artificial sounds, is what really sets the lyrebird apart from the other birds in their area. It is not uncommon for people to be fooled into thinking that they are enjoying the singing of many species of birds, only to find that it is the lyrebird going through its very impressive repertoire. The lyrebird’s vocal chords (syrinx) are the most complex of all songbirds, facilitating its vast vocal range. Lyrebirds have been heard to mimic all the bird species in their surroundings, including flocks of birds. It has been reported to successfully mimic chain saws, car alarms, car engines, fire alarms, dogs barking, camera shutters, rifle shots, crying babies and songs played on various musical instruments. The male lyrebird is the more vocal of the sexes, although the female does have the same ability to mimic.

Clearly, this elusive bird is a marvel and should you be fortunate enough to hear one, you will surely remember it forever.

Teaching Pet Birds to Talk

Editor — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:09:40 +0000

If you have ever thought about owning a parrot, you most likely thought about what you would teach it to say. Birds which are capable of mimicking human speech not only provide hours of entertainment, but make for an interesting conversation piece and some hilarious moments with family and friends.

While not every bird has the capacity to mimic other sounds and words, there are large varieties which do. Many people think only parrots can talk, but other bird species such as mynahs, ravens, crows, cockatiels and parakeets have all been known to mimic words and sounds. A bird’s capability to speak may depend on a number of different factors, such as species, gender and age. Parrots are best known for their speaking ability because they generally exhibit a higher aptitude for speech and can often form entire sentences on their own, using a limited vocabulary.

When it comes to teaching your pet bird to speak, you need to remember that it will take time and patience. You need to make it an enjoyable experience for your bird which will encourage him to learn further. What you put in is usually what you get out and at the end of the day you will find the results are often very rewarding.

When training a bird to speak, it is often best to start young. A very young bird may not be able to repeat what it is hearing, but it certainly is taking it in. When teaching your pet bird make sure that all other noises and distractions are minimized as much as possible – so switch off the TV and close the doors leading to the room for some peace and quiet. Then you can start by repeating certain words or phrases in the same gentle tone of voice.

Birds tend to find it easier to mimic a child’s or woman’s voice than they do a man´s so if you are struggling to get the bird to understand, try raising your pitch but not your volume. Keep phrases short and look for signs that your bird is paying attention. These could include tipping of the head from side to side, bobbing it up and down or ruffling the feathers on the head and neck. If the bird is distracted by other events in the room or by the food bowl, he/she is not paying attention or learning. You can try and get the bird’s attention by trying different tones and pitches.

Learning usually becomes easier after the first word, so be patient and give your bird time to absorb what it is learning. Keep sessions fairly short and repeat them several times a day if possible. Training can go on for years, but it is a very rewarding experience!

Birdwatching: You know how to Whistle…don’t you?

Editor — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 09:49:38 +0000

Does whistling like a bird really attract birds? Or does it just make you look foolish? Does the bird understand when a facsimile is taking place? Does it think to itself how silly you look standing behind a bush quaking like a duck?

There are actually very few resources available for learning to whistle like a bird. Far easier to just learn how to whistle — period! Easier still, to find material — CD’s of pre-recorded birdsongs more often than not — that teach your bird how to whistle. But apparently for the birder – the passionate individual trekking through the woods with a pair of binoculars and a guidebook, learning to whistle and imitating your favorite bird is a skill you either have or you don’t.

In some higher circles of bird watching, the art of whistling is referred to mimicry. As if that changes anything. Mimicry is known to only a few. Rich Little is a darn good mimic, but his impersonation of Kirk Douglas will not attract a cardinal. (And his whistling ability sucks by the way).

For those who care, whistling can be traced to the 12th century just by Webster’s definition, but early man probably tried to mimic bird sounds as well. Their interest was in attracting dinner, not in attracting a bird to look and appreciate.

Back in the 1920′s, whistling achieved a certain amount of respectability. The late Agnes Woodward started a school for whistlers, which gained so much popularity that at one time her method was taught nationwide, mostly by voice teachers.

Getting back to birds however, in order to imitate a bird you need to be able to listen to the bird and fortunately there are many resources available that offer recorded bird songs. Listen and repeat. The same strategy used so successfully in learning to ride a bike just may work when learning how to whistle like a spotted wren.

Only you don’t fall down as much.