Birds have no larynx similar to a human’s, but do have a spe-
cial vocal organ, known as the syrinx, that enables them to produce
sounds. In birds, air from the lungs passes through this organ. In a
sense, the bird’s syrinx is the equivalent of our human larynx. One
of the principal differences is that in humans, our vocal cords are po-
sitioned closer to the windpipe. So far, the fact that the bird’s syrinx
is deep inside the body has prevented scientists from obtaining a
complete answer as to how birds produce sound. Scientists have
filmed birds using infra-red and x-ray cameras, and have made close
studies of their song and speech by means of fiber-optic microscopes
inserted in their throats. Yet we still cannot explain the physical
process by which birds produce song and imitate sounds.
Within the bird’s breast, its vocal organ is like a branched in-
strument, located at where its voice box meets the two bronchial
tubes. As shown on the adjacent page, one branch of the syrinx
opens into one bronchus and the second branch into the other; and
either one of these two bronchi can produce sound. Some birds can
use either both sides of their voice organ simultaneously, or one of
the two independently and, by this means, can produce two sepa-
rate tones of the same frequency, at the same time. They can sing a
high note with one side, while producing a low note with the other.
And since the bird’s vocal organ is situated at the juncture of the two
bronchial tubes, it can produce sound from two different sources.
This even allows the bird to produce two different notes simultane-
ously, and even to sing a duet with itself. To a great extent, sounds
produced here are subsequently combined, giving birds the poten-
tial of creating rich melodies. While humans use only about 2% of
the air they inhale to produce sound, birds have the ability to use it
all.
6
The syrinx is located in a pouch within the clavicle below the
The Miracle of Talking Birds
24
