Songbirds are named for their fairytale-like singing. But did you know they also make shorter, more staccato sounds called “calls”? See if you can hear the difference between a Bluebird call and song.
🎧 Bluebird Call
🎧 Bluebird Song
Now that we’ve heard the difference, what does each sound mean?
The simplest type of Eastern Bluebird communication is it’s “call”. Calls are used all year-round by both males and females, although there is a slight difference between the genders in the pitch and length of their calls. Calls are used for communication between parents and offspring, foraging during non-breeding seasons and to signal location to nearby family members. The call of a songbird is basically like humans using slang when talking to a familiar person.
The other type of communication the Eastern Bluebird uses is much more complex and known as a “song”. There is a large variety between Bluebird songs including soft songs (short distance communication) and loud songs (long distance communication). Songs are typically used during breeding seasons and unlike male Eastern Bluebirds, females do not typically demonstrate songs unless a predator is present or the male bluebird is away from the nest. Songs are a more formal way to communicate between songbirds.
Just like songbirds, we like to use songs to communicate and express emotion. Bluebirds are often a symbol used in music to represent springtime, hope, dreams, and love. Here’s a list of our favorite Bluebird inspired songs.
🎶 🎵 🎶
Take a listen to the music this Bluebird Wednesday. Surround yourself with the many forms of songbird songs in a magical and healing way to soothe your soul. These sounds build the power to “connect, collaborate, and create” to the world around us.
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder It's the truth, it's "actch'll" Everything is "satisfactch'll"
And so here we go bluebird, Back to the sky on your own. Oh let him go bluebird, Ready to fly, you and I Here we go Here we go
Bluebird singing
Right outside my window in a tree
Just for me
Bluebird singing
Something in that midnight melody
Makes me believe
4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly And the dreams that you dare to Oh why, oh why can't I?
Gotta find a way to get home strong
Gotta find a way back home
Gotta find a light to guide me along
Gotta find a way back home
6. Bluebird by Miranda Lambert
And if the whole wide world stops singing
And all the stars go dark
I’ll keep a light on in my soul
Keep a bluebird in my heart
I’ll keep a light on in my soul
Keep a bluebird in my heart
Resources
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library
Bird Identification, eBird, Merlin Bird, All about birds
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