Birdsong is the vocalizations and calls that birds use to communicate. While birdsong may sound musical to our ears, it does not meet the criteria to be considered true music. There are several key differences between birdsong and music that prevent birdsong from being classified as such.
Music is composed with intent
Music is created with the deliberate intent of making music. Composers think carefully about melody, rhythm, harmony and structure when writing music. There is a creative process involved in crafting music that does not happen naturally in the animal kingdom. Birds do not actively compose or create their birdsongs. Their vocalizations are instinctual and bred into their biology to serve purposes like defending territory, attracting mates, navigating or gathering food.
Music has organized structure
True music has an organized structure with repeating patterns, verses, choruses, builds and resolutions. It adheres to musical principles like rhythm, melody, harmony, tonality and musical scales. Birdsong lacks these compositional elements. While birdsongs may sound pleasant or musical to our ears, they do not contain the compositional techniques and organization that defines structured music.
Music uses intentional rhythm and pitch
Music is constructed using intentional variations in rhythm, tempo, pitch and melody. Composers and performers deliberately shape the musical elements to create certain moods, textures and styles. Birdsongs do not consciously use rhythm or pitch in this compositional manner. Their vocalizations are innate instinctual responses, not intentionally crafted using musical elements.
Music has defined scales and harmony
Nearly all music is built upon defined melodic and harmonic frameworks like scales, modes and defined systems of tuning. The pitches in birdsong do not follow precise scales or tuning systems. Their vocal pitches are inherited, not molded into defined harmonic systems. While some birdsongs may sound pleasant and harmonious, they lack the theoretical harmonic frameworks present in composed music.
Music can be written and repeated
Music is preserved through musical notation like sheet music, tabs or scores. This allows compositions to be accurately repeated, shared and performed by others. Birdsong lacks notation or any means of precisely documenting and repeating vocalizations. Each rendition of a birdsong, while recognizable, will have slight variations in timing, pitch and delivery.
Music requires skill and practice
Mastering a musical instrument or the voice requires immense skill, coordination and practice. Humans invest years honing their musical abilities. Birdsongs on the other hand are innate behaviors that develop naturally without formal training. While some birds may expand their repertoires, their vocalizations originate from instinct rather than skill and practice.
Music can evolve stylistically
Music evolves through innovation and the emergence of new genres, styles and techniques. Composers can intentionally shape the sound of music over time. Birdsong lacks this ability to intentionally innovate stylistically. Each species’ vocalizations are relatively fixed and unchanging over time.
Music uses specialized instruments
Nearly all music is created and performed using specially designed musical instruments. These instruments are crafted to produce and manipulate musical sounds. Birdsong uses only the biological instrument of a bird’s vocal organ. This limits the sounds they can create compared to the diverse instruments humans have engineered for making music.
Music has specialized venues
There are venues and spaces designed specifically for musical performance like concert halls, theaters, clubs and stadiums. Music is shaped by these spaces. Birdsong occurs naturally in the wild without specially designated musical performance spaces. The context and venues shape and define music in ways that birdsong does not experience.
Music can be commercialized and recorded
Music is a commercial enterprise, with financial aspects like recording deals, royalties, concert ticket sales and albums. Birdsongs are not commercialized in these ways. Recordings of birdsong serve ornithological rather than musical purposes.
Music has defined roles and professions
There are specialized professional roles for making music including composers, performers, producers, conductors and recording engineers. Birdsong lacks these professional distinctions. While some birds may sing more frequently or have larger repertoires, they do not have defined musical roles.
Music can crossover between species
Music is unique in its ability to be shared, performed and enjoyed across human cultures and geographic regions. Birdsong is limited to the species. While birds may mimic limited sounds from other species, their innate songs are specific to their species.
Conclusion
In summary, while birdsong may exhibit musical qualities like pleasant melodies, it lacks many characteristics that define intentionally created and performed music. Birdsong serves a primal biological communicative function rather than an aesthetic or entertainment purpose. Music requires intent, skill, practice, technique and mastery to create art, culture and meaning. So while a lovely birdsong may evoke a musical sensation, true music it does not make.