Birdsong is the musical sounds that birds make, especially during spring and early summer. Step outside on a spring morning and you'll hear it: robins whistling their cheerful phrases, cardinals calling back and forth, sparrows chirping from the bushes. Each species has its own distinctive song, like a signature tune that other birds recognize.

Birds sing for important reasons. Male birds often sing to attract mates, essentially announcing “I'm healthy and strong!” to females in the area. They also sing to defend their territory, warning other males to stay away from their nesting spot. Some birds, like mockingbirds, are famous for complex songs that can include dozens of different phrases, while others repeat simpler melodies.

People have treasured birdsong throughout history. Poets write about it, composers imitate it in their music, and many people simply find it peaceful to hear. Scientists who study birdsong have discovered that young birds actually learn their songs from adult birds, much like human children learn language from their parents and caregivers. If you pay attention to the birds around your neighborhood, you'll start recognizing individual species just by their songs.