How to Bird Call

Birds are amazing creatures that can fill our ears with beautiful melodies and our eyes with colorful sights. But have you ever wondered how they communicate with each other and what their songs and calls mean? And have you ever wanted to join their conversation and attract more birds to your backyard or your favorite birding spot?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this article is for you. In this article, we will teach you how to bird call, which is the art of imitating bird sounds using your mouth, hands, or other tools. We will also explain the benefits of birding by ear, the difference between songs and calls, and some tips and tricks to help you master this skill.

Why Bird Call?

Bird calling is not only a fun and rewarding hobby, but also a useful way to enhance your birding experience. Here are some of the benefits of bird calling:

• You can learn more about bird behavior and ecology by listening to their vocalizations and understanding their meanings. For example, you can tell if a bird is defending its territory, attracting a mate, warning of a predator, or begging for food by the type and tone of its sound.
• You can identify more bird species by their sounds than by their looks. Many birds are cryptic or shy, and may be hard to spot with your eyes. But if you know their sounds, you can recognize them even if they are hidden in the foliage or flying overhead.
• You can attract more birds to your location by mimicking their sounds. Some birds are curious and will respond to your calls, especially if they think you are a potential mate or a rival. This can give you a better chance to observe them closely or take photos of them.
• You can enjoy the beauty and diversity of bird sounds and appreciate them as a form of natural music. Bird sounds are rich and varied, and can evoke different emotions and moods. Some are soothing and relaxing, some are cheerful and lively, some are mysterious and haunting.

How to Bird Call?

There are many ways to bird call, depending on the type of sound you want to produce and the tools you have at hand.

Here are some of the most common methods:

• Using your mouth: You can make bird sounds with your mouth by whistling, pishing, gobbling, or using other techniques. This is the simplest and most versatile way to bird call, as you don’t need any equipment and you can adjust your pitch, volume, and tone easily. However, it may take some practice and skill to imitate complex or high-pitched sounds.
• Using your hands: You can make bird sounds with your hands by blowing air through them in a certain way. This is a fun and easy way to bird call, as you only need your hands and you can create a variety of sounds. However, it may not be very loud or realistic compared to other methods.
• Using a whistle: You can make bird sounds with a whistle by blowing air through it in different ways. This is a convenient and effective way to bird call, as you can use a simple whistle or a specialized bird caller whistle that mimics specific sounds. However, it may not be very flexible or expressive compared to other methods.
• Using wood: You can make bird sounds with wood by rubbing or tapping it in different ways. This is an old-fashioned and creative way to bird call, as you can use any piece of wood or a wooden instrument that produces sound. However, it may not be very accurate or consistent compared to other methods.

Tips and Tricks for Bird Calling

Here are some tips and tricks to help you improve your bird calling skills:

• Listen carefully: The first step to bird calling is to listen carefully to the birds around you and learn their sounds. You can use field guides, apps, websites¹, or recordings²³⁴⁵⁶⁷ to help you identify them by ear. You can also use these resources to practice your imitation skills by repeating the sounds along with them.
• Start simple: The second step to bird calling is to start simple and work your way up. Begin with easy sounds that have few syllables or notes, such as pishing, chickadee-dee-dee, or cuckoo. Then move on to more complex sounds that have more syllables or notes, such as robin, cardinal, or mockingbird. Finally, try to imitate sounds that have variations or combinations of syllables or notes, such as goldfinch, warbler, or thrush.
• Be realistic: The third step to bird calling is to be realistic and respectful. Don’t expect to fool every bird with your imitation, as some birds may be more wary or discerning than others. Don’t overdo your calling, as some birds may get annoyed or stressed by your intrusion. And don’t call during sensitive times, such as nesting or migration, as some birds may get distracted or disturbed by your interference.

Bird calling is a wonderful way to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of birds. By learning how to bird call, you can enrich your birding experience, identify more bird species, attract more birds to your location, and appreciate the diversity of bird sounds. All you need is some curiosity, some practice, and some tools to get started. Happy birding!

Types of Bird Sounds

Before you learn how to make bird sounds, you need to understand the different types of sounds that birds make and why they make them. Birds are very vocal animals that use sounds for various purposes, such as finding mates, defending territories, warning of predators, or communicating with other birds.

The two main types of sounds that birds make are songs and calls. Songs are long and complex sounds that are usually produced by male birds during the breeding season to attract females and deter rivals. Songs are often melodious and distinctive, and can vary by individual, region, or dialect. Some examples of birds that have beautiful songs are nightingales, mockingbirds, canaries, and thrushes.

Calls are short and simple sounds that are used by both male and female birds throughout the year for various reasons, such as maintaining contact, signaling alarm, coordinating movements, or expressing emotions. Calls are often harsh and repetitive, and can be shared by many species or groups. Some examples of birds that have distinctive calls are crows, geese, owls, and woodpeckers.

Birds can also make other types of sounds that are not strictly songs or calls, such as drumming, tapping, hissing, clicking, or whirring. These sounds are usually produced by physical actions or movements, such as pecking a tree, flapping wings, or rubbing feathers. Some examples of birds that make these sounds are woodpeckers, hummingbirds, swans, and cranes.

Bird sounds can vary by species, region, season, time of day, and individual. Some birds have a wide repertoire of sounds that they can modify or combine depending on the situation. Some birds can also mimic or imitate the sounds of other birds or animals, such as parrots, starlings, lyrebirds, and mockingbirds.

Bird sounds are one of the most fascinating aspects of bird behavior and ecology. By learning how to recognize and appreciate bird sounds, you can enrich your birdwatching experience and discover more about the amazing diversity and complexity of bird vocalizations.