Birds make use of sound in many ways. They use their songs and calls to communicate with each other, to attract mates, to warn of danger, and more. But can birds be attracted by certain sounds that humans make? This is an interesting question that many bird lovers and experts have investigated over the years.
In the opening paragraphs, it is important to provide a quick overview of the topic and set the stage for the more detailed discussion to follow. Birds clearly rely heavily on sound communication. It makes intuitive sense that they may also be drawn to or repelled by particular sounds in their environment depending on the context. Research has been conducted exploring how certain sounds like bird calls, bells, flutes, and other noises may influence bird behavior. While more studies are needed, initial findings suggest that some sounds, when used strategically, can in fact attract birds or at least grab their attention.
Bird Calls
One of the most obvious sounds that can attract birds is bird calls. Many birds are highly territorial and will fly towards the source of an unknown bird call entering their turf. Birders and ornithologists often rely on recorded bird calls played through speakers to lure birds out and identify species in an area. Specific calls can also be used to attract certain species during breeding or migratory seasons. For example, recorded owl calls can draw in curious small birds in defense of their territory or food source. The same is true for calls of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Birds are hardwired to investigate potential threats or competitors in their environment. Using bird call recordings to stimulate this territorial instinct is a proven way to attract birds.
Types of Bird Calls That Attract Birds
Here are some examples of specific bird call types that are effective at attracting birds:
- Owl hoots and screeches to attract small songbirds
- Hawk cries to draw in jays, swallows, and other species that mob predators
- Duck and goose calls to bring waterfowl in during migration
- The territorial songs of warblers and sparrows during breeding season
- Distress calls indicating a bird under attack to stimulate mobbing
- Feeding calls that draw a flock to a discovered food source
The key is using calls the targeted species would naturally recognize and respond to. Care does need to be taken, however, not to overuse call playback and disturb or stress birds.
Bells and Wind Chimes
Bells and wind chimes can also attract curious birds. These types of sounds are unusual in the wild, so birds often approach to investigate the sound. Songbirds like chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches may be most likely to check out chiming bells and tubes. The sound may mimic bird calls or signal a food source like insects or seeds. Moving wind chimes also add visual motion that can catch a bird’s eye. Bird feeders or houses hung near wind chimes may see more activity as birds fly in to inspect the sound.
Tips for Using Bells and Chimes to Attract Birds
- Select tuneful, resonant bells with a bright sound birds will investigate.
- Hang chimes in a spot where breeze will easily move them.
- Pair the sound with bird feeders and nesting spots.
- Change location occasionally to keep it novel.
- Avoid loud, clanging bells that could startle shy species.
The element of surprise can help grab the attention of familiar yard birds. Moving the bells or chimes to a new bird feeding area every few days can renew curiosity and keep birds interested.
Musical Instruments
Certain musical instruments like flutes, whistles, xylophones, and even harmonicas can mimic attractive bird sounds. Light, high-pitched tunes seem most effective at intriguing passing birds. Songs that incorporate trills, warbles, and other bird-like sounds naturally get attention. It takes practice to become adept at playing songs that interest species you want to attract. And patience is required to wait motionless for birds to respond. But the right tunes can bring curious birds within close viewing range.
Musical Instruments That Can Attract Birds
- Wooden flutes and whistles that play high notes
- Aluminum slide whistles for warbling effects
- Xylophones and glockenspiels producing short trills
- Harmonicas able to mimic calls like chickadees
- Panpipes covering a range of pitches
The best approach is mimicking familiar sounds like their own species’ calls, the squeaks of prey, or even owl hoots. Practice repertoire that sticks to a theme birds naturally respond to.
Other Sounds Birds May Investigate
While bird calls, bells, and music seem most reliable at attracting birds, research indicates some other sounds can also draw interest. This includes recordings of sounds birds may interpret as food sources or threats requiring mobbing.
Sounds With Potential to Attract Birds
- Running water
- Buzzing insects
- Frogs croaking
- Cracking nuts
- Squeaking mice
- Rustling leaves
These types of sounds may pique the curiosity of birds searching for prey or fresh water. They often stimulate similar investigation as unusual bells and chimes. Birds will fly toward the source, sometimes allowing very close observation. But the results may be less consistent than structured musical notes.
Using Recordings Versus Live Sound
One consideration in attracting birds with sound is whether to use recordings of calls and music versus generating the sounds live. There are advantages to each approach:
Benefits of Recordings
- Allows exact replication of bird calls
- Can play rare or hard-to-learn sounds
- Consistent volume and tempo
- Hands-free use
- Can set up in remote location
High quality recordings of bird vocalizations are readily available. This makes it easy to play the perfect owl hoot or cardinal song without skill. Recordings are also very consistent, convenient, and allow focusing attention on the responding birds.
Benefits of Live Sound
- More natural variation
- Can adapt sound real-time
- Interactive experience
- May attract more interest
Despite advances in recording tech, nothing quite matches the fluidity of live sound. It allows dynamically adjusting notes and tempo to follow birds’ reactions. The variation and effort involved in producing live sound can also grab more interest. And it’s simply more rewarding and fun!
Both approaches can be effective and discovering which works best may require some experimentation based on the specific birds you aim to attract.
Sounds That Can Repel Birds
While certain sounds attract birds, other noises may scare them off. This includes sudden loud sounds like fireworks, gunshots, or engines backfiring. Raptor screams and aggressive bird mobbing calls can indicate danger. And ultrasonic high-frequency sounds are irritating. These types of noisy deterrents are sometimes used to actively repel pest birds. But any species may avoid places with consistent bothersome background sounds.
Sounds Birds Tend to Avoid
- Loud explosive noises
- High-pitched ultrasonic sounds
- Distress and alarm calls
- Predator vocalizations
- Banging and clanging
Sudden disruptive sounds stress birds and are interpreted as threats. Even music and machinery hum can deter more noise-sensitive species when constantly present. Controlling the acoustic environment is key for attracting birds by minimizing off-putting noise pollution.
Ethical Considerations
When attempting to attract birds using sound, there are some ethical considerations. The welfare of birds should be prioritized over simply drawing them in close. Here are some best practices:
- Avoid overusing recordings that could stress birds or disrupt natural behavior.
- Do not use calls to draw birds away from nests with eggs/young.
- Give birds space and stop playback if signs of agitation.
- Limit use during migration to allow rest and refueling.
- Maintain quiet areas birds can retreat to.
With patient and respectful use of sound, the technique can enrich the lives of birds and birders alike. But their needs should stay foremost.
Conclusion
Research shows that certain sounds, when strategically used, can attract many bird species. Familiar bird calls tend to stimulate the strongest response, drawing territorial birds in to investigate and counter perceived threats. Bells, chimes, whistles, flutes and other instruments that mimic attractive sounds can also pique interest. Even some natural sounds like running water prompt curiosity. However, sudden disruptive noises will repel most birds. Ethical sound use considers bird welfare first. With patience and practice, intriguing sounds can be a safe and exciting way to observe more close-up bird behavior in the field. Careful sound choices create new interaction opportunities to appreciate birds and nature.