or family members. These range from short, simple calls to songs
that are surprisingly long and complex. Sometimes birds such as the
green woodpecker use different instruments or, like the American
woodpecker, use special feathers to produce sound.
Birds also communicate through smell, though since their
sense of smell is poor, their communication is based mainly on
sound and sight. At times of poor visibility, as at night or in dense
foliage, sound is most advantageous, and is also the ideal method
for long-distance communication. If conditions are right, birdsong
can be heard for up to a few kilometers.
As we have seen in the example of Alex, the African Grey, birds
also have conceptualization and communication skills. In certain
circumstances, they demonstrate talents equivalent to those of chil-
dren of primary-school age, learning series of words and other
means of human communication through social interaction. When
alone, these parrots play vocalization games and when in the com-
pany of people, they join vocalizations together to produce new as-
semblages from existing sequences of speech. God, the Creator of
everything on Earth and in the skies, equips them with the talents
and characteristics that set them apart. Accordingly, our praises for
the supreme beauty of our environment is praise that belongs to
God.
The Language of Calls and Songs
To call one another, birds produce sounds of extremely high fre-
quency and strength. Only a few species such as pelicans, storks,
and certain vultures have no call. The acoustic calls used by birds
amongst themselves form a language of sorts. Their songs, which
are longer and generally related to courtship, consist of a series of
notes and usually contain melodies.
The Miracle of Talking Birds
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