Birdsong is usually heard in spring, whereas the calls, much
simpler than songs, are used by both sexes and heard throughout
the year. Birdcalls allow swift communication via simple messages
without a great expenditure of energy.
26
These calls’ main functions
can be listed as follows:
- to establish a bird’s species
- to indicate the bird’s gender
- to show its location
- to demarcate and defend a territory
- to advertise a source of food
- to let young birds recognize their parents
- to keep the flock together
- to warn of the presence of an enemy
- to intimidate an enemy
The High Level of Consciousness
in Birds that Imitate Sounds
63
The photographs above show the areas of the brain activated during
hearing and singing in the canary.
SILENCE
HEARING AND SINGING OF
SONGS
HEARING ONLY
SINGING ONLY
