Robin or Cardinal?
Listening to their Songs
As
the spring chorus of birdsong begins, some observers think they hear
an early
robin when they are actually hearing the Northern Cardinal. Listen to their different songs:
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|
Image: Randy Indish |
Image: Randy Indish |
American Robin |
Northern Cardinal |
Recording: Lang
Elliott |
Recording: Cornell
Lab of Ornithology |
Robin Songs and Sounds
Male robins
sing songs as warnings to
keep other males out of their territory and as invitations
to attract a female. Songs
are different from
other sounds, which are called notes, calls, and chips, depending
on their structure and the volume at which they are delivered. Unlike songs, other notes
seem to serve purposes such as maintaining contact
with
flock
mates or as a warning of danger. For descriptions and audio clips, explore:
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