Many people have mentioned that the birds that are singing at this time of
year are not singing as frequently or may not be singing a complete song.
Since this is not the nesting season, then this is not the primary reason
for singing, but more of a by-product of hormonal changes as birds are
preparing for migration or some of the northern birds are already en
route. If so, then it would be likely that some individuals, and perhaps
some species, may be singing more than others and that this is rather
random. Cardinals would not be affected the same way since they are not
migratory.
I also don't think that the parents are teaching the young their song,
rather some young birds may simply be practicing a song which they will
rely on next spring. The young are known to learn their song from
listening to the adults while in the nest and in some cases perhaps as they
are developing in the egg. We know from isolation studies that eggs
removed from a nest result in young that will sing what has been called a
sub-song. They have the voice to produce a vocalization, but since they
have not heard other birds sing it isn't refined. Also, since many birds
have dialects across their range, learning plays an important role in
producing the complete song.
We may never know completely the reason for fall singing, but it is
interesting to listen and ponder what they are up to.
Bill Volkert
FdL Cl
On Sat, Sep 15, 2018 at 3:47 PM Tom Wood <tcwood729@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Bill Volkert recently instucted us that hormonal changes prior to migration
may be responsible, or that as Sandy mentions, they need to teach the young
their song. Sounds reasonable, but why aren't more species of birds
participating? I know Warbling Vireos are prolific singers, but so are
Robins, Cardinals, Red-eyed Vireos, etc. and we hardly here a peep out of
them.
Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County
-----Original Message-----
From: wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Sandy Petersen
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 3:13 PM
To: Tom Wood; Dave Moffat
Cc: Wisconsin Bird net
Subject: [wisb] Re: Warbling
Ok, all!
Are they still singing just for the joy of it
or to keep their mate/family nearby
or to teach the young their song
or ???
Sandy Petersen
On Sat, Sep 15, 2018 at 2:47 PM Tom Wood <tcwood729@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
This morning I birded Sheridan Park (no unusual sightings) and there werewisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
at
least two Warbling Vireos singing. These were not half-hearted songs, but
robust renditions. It seemed so out of place for mid-September and one
non-birding couple asked what bird was making that song. Nothing else
seemed
to be singing, but the Warbling Vireos made it seem like it was spring! I
spent 3 hours at the park, and when I left, at least one of the birds was
still warbling away.
Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County
-----Original Message-----
From: wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
On Behalf Of Sandy PetersenBirding
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 9:58 AM
To: Wisconsin Bird net
Subject: [wisb] Warbling
Hi all!
Wednesday this week was the last day I heard the Warbling Vireo warble in
my yard.
It had been one concert after another on a daily basis all summer.
I missed it right away.
This morning there was a W.V. doing a half-heated warble at the nearby
park.
Just moving through?
A kid practicing?
Happy fall birding
Sandy Petersen, rural Dane Co, WI
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin
Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin
Birding Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding
Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin
Birding Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at:
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
