Songs, calls, and sonations (Week 2 lab)

Two main categories of bird sounds

Vocal sounds and non-vocal-sounds

What produces vocal sounds in birds?

The spraying and the trachea

Syrinx: vibration-based sound

Membranes vibrate as air flows past them

Spraying: constriction-based sound

Airway narrows; can be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides) independently

Non-vocal bird sounds (donations)

Mechanical sounds made by wings, feathers, bill, tail, or objects

Bird songs: what are they?

Long, complex sounds used mainly for territoriality and courtship

Main purpose of bird songs

Defending territory or attracting mates

Bird calls: What are they?

Short, simple sounds used for quick communication

Examples of bird call functions

Alarm, flock contact, begging calls of chicks

Donations: What are they?

Non-vocal mechanical sounds made with feathers, wings, bills, or tails

What organs do birds use to produce sound?

The syrinx, located where the trachea splits into the bronchi near the lungs

Why is the syrinx important (extra-ish)

Its unique to birds and lets them produce a wide range of vocal sounds

Where exactly is the syrinx located?

At the junction of the bronchi, deep in the chest, close to the lungs.

What is this part?

Syringeal muscle

What is the part labeled number 1

Syringeal muscle

What is the part labeled number 2

Semilunar membrane

What is the part labeled number 3

Pessulus

What is the part labeled number 4

External tympaniform membrane

What is the part labeled number 5

Internal tympaniform membrane