What a Bird Brain

Male and female canary

This male (yellow) and female (gray) canary are one species of song bird.

Interestingly, scientists have found that songbirds learn language in a way that is similar to how humans learn language.

There are over 90 species of songbirds and they all have unique songs. For instance, hummingbird songs sound more like an insect sound, whereas canaries sing melodies that are learned new each season. Mockingbirds sing songs which copy the sounds of other birds in the area.

Click on this link to hear a cardinal song.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder
CAST would like to thank Texthelp Inc. for use of the SpeechStream toolbar

When you hear a bird singing, it could be communicating to another bird. Maybe it is trying to attract a mate or maybe it is trying to get an enemy off of its territory.

Have you ever tried to tell the difference between different birds by listening to their calls? For instance, a cardinal says, "cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer, whoop, whoop!" Try to listen for this next time you are outside!

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