The Home of Birdsong

Whether it’s the warble of a Magpie, the laugh of a Kookaburra, or the screech of a Cockatoo, the calls of our feathered friends are synonymous with the Australian outdoors. Pause for a moment of quiet, and this avian orchestra will not only reveal which birds are nearby but also offer clues about the rhythms of nature unfolding around you.

Where song began

The world can thank Australia for birdsong. Fossil evidence shows that songbird first evolved here around 54 million years ago — some 25 million years earlier than the oldest evidence found elsewhere in the world. Songbird lineages radiated out from Australia, eventually spreading to other continents. Our birds also stand out from the rest of the world, with singing from both males and females, whereas in many other regions it is usually only the males that carol.

Fun fact: Australia is also the ancestral home to parrots and pigeons. 

How do birds sing?

To produce song, birds use a special voice box called the syrinx, located at the base of their windpipe. By controlling the muscles around it, they can create an extraordinary range of notes, often producing two different sounds at the same time.

Birdsong vs Bird calls

Birds make a variety of sounds to suit different functions. These vocalisations are often categorised into either birdsong or bird calls.

• Birdsong: primarily relate to reproduction and are often longer and more complex. They are used to attract mates and defend territory, with intricate songs or larger vocal ranges communicating the strength and fitness of the caller. Bird song is more commonly used by species living in habitats where visibility is low, such as forests or dense foliage.
• Bird calls: are often short and simple and used to for functional communication with nearby member of their species. This can range from alarm calls to signal danger, contact calls to keep a flock together when flying or migrating, to communication with offspring, or as a way of expressing aggression. 

Common birdsong in the Parklands

When exploring the Parklands there are some birds you might hear. Free phone apps, such as Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET, are another great way to listen to and identify birds from their calls.

Pied Currawong	Little Wattlebird	Red Wattlebird
Grey Butcherbird	New Holland Honeyeater	Silvereye
Superb Fairy-wren	Willie Wagtail	Spotted Pardalote

Click images above to hear bird calls drawn from the Top 40 Bird Songs list curated by Birds in Backyards (mainly around Sydney) - Top 40 Bird Songs | BIRDS in BACKYARDS

Next time you wander through Sydney Olympic Park, pause, and let the dawn chorus or evening calls wash over you. Try to distinguish between bird song and bird calls in the symphony sound that surrounds us.

For more information on the origin of birdsong see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMB1qaw7yt0 

For more information on birding by ear see: 
https://theconversation.com/birding-by-ear-how-to-learn-the-songs-of-natures-symphony-with-some-simple-techniques-260874