Sibley's Birding Basics by Sibley David Allen

Author:Sibley, David Allen [Sibley, David Allen]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2008-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

Describing Songs and Calls

Each of the variables in bird vocalizations can be described, but each requires a different set of descriptive words. Describing songs and calls with words can seem hopelessly frustrating, and the results inadequate and sometimes misleading. The human vocabulary cannot convey the complexity of bird songs, and the limited vocabulary that has developed for describing these sounds often recalls the banter at a wine tasting: hollow, sharp, burry, metallic. Nevertheless, words are often the best method we have of recording these sounds, and there is value in written descriptions.

The rhythm (or tempo) of a bird's vocalizations can be described simply as hurried or relaxed, rapid or slow, regular or irregular. Individual call notes might be short and abrupt (or clipped) or long and drawn out. A rapidly repeated series of similar notes constitutes a trill, while an even more rapid series of similar notes is called a buzz. The pitch of a bird is either high or low and is best compared to that of other species. It is also very important to note whether a vocalization is rising or falling. Pitch is suggested by different vowel sounds: ee is the highest pitch, followed by eh (ih), ah, oo, oh. When saying these sounds in order you will notice the gradual change in shape of mouth required. Sounds can then be written as tooee for upslurred (rising at the end) or teeoo for downslurred (falling at the end).

Quality is the “jizz” of sound identification. Difficult or impossible to describe in words, it is the single feature that allows the expert to instantly identify fragments of birds' calls. Terms such as trilled, hoarse, liquid, sharp, and metallic can provide a starting point for describing the quality of bird sounds, but experience is the key. Keep in mind that many of the terms, and our impressions of quality, are inextricably connected to pitch and tempo, the other features of the sounds.

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