Why Do Birds Sing? Amazing Answers to Questions About Birdsong

About this book

Throughout our history, birdsong has influenced art, poetry and music. It can elevate our mood and bring our backyards to life. We often hear birds singing as we go about our lives, but have you ever wondered who they are singing to and what they are singing about?

The term 'bird brain' has led us to underestimate the brainpower it takes to hear a song, remember it and practise until it is reproduced correctly. In the same way human infants learn to talk, young birds learn their song by listening and remembering the sounds produced by their parents. Not only that, birds use different songs and calls, and different pitch, tone and volume, depending on who they're communicating with and what they want to say – much like the way we vary our speech.

Why Do Birds Sing? provides an insight into the world of bird communication that will surprise and delight you. It's an absorbing and informative book filled with answers to many of the common and often uncommon questions we ask about birdsong.

After reading this book, you will never listen to a bird song in the same way!

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Biography

Gráinne Cleary was born with a passion and a curiosity for the natural world. In 2008, after graduating with a PhD from Trinity College Dublin, Grainne moved to Australia, where she immediately fell in love with the wildlife. Throughout her career, Gráinne has worked in universities and conservation bodies in both Europe and Australia. Her research is focused on engaging with the public through citizen science to gain the best outcomes for urban birds. Gráinne is a frequent contributor on both national and regional radio, where she discusses bird-related news. She is also a regular on the Channel Seven morning show Sunrise.