Birds sing to announce the availability of food

The American Goldfinch male (left) is much more colorful than the female (right).

Many birds are social creatures to some extent. That’s why many birds sing to communicate, and even use different songs, calls and intonations for different meanings. They may flock together for all or part of the year or they may only be social within the context of their own immediate families. In either case, ensuring that others within their flock or family get food and, conversely, sharing the food that others find, is a survival benefit for most birds. Many birds have distinct calls or songs that they use when plentiful food is available.

These feeding songs are most evident around birdfeeders, berry patches, or other sources of plentiful food. Those who own birdfeeders can watch and see how this particular form of bird communication works. If you see a single bird come to the feeder, listen to its call. Although not every bird species uses a feeding call, many times you will see a bird’s mate appear at the feeder shortly after it begins singing. Sometimes, you will even see other birds of the same species begin to appear in response to the song.

The American Goldfinch is a great example of both. If you have a thistle feeder in the Manchester, NH area, then you most likely have goldfinches as regular visitors. The male and female goldfinches have distinct differences in coloration during the spring and summer months so they are easy to tell apart during that time. The male goldfinch is very bright yellow with a pronounced black patch across its forehead, while the female is a much more sedate dirty yellow color with a plain forehead. If the male finds the feeder first, he will often find a spot on or near the feeder and sing. His mate will often appear at the feeder shortly after the song begins. Other pairs of goldfinches may appear after that as well.

Some of New Hampshire’s woodpeckers also call their mates to feed, but with an interesting twist. The male will eat first, and then after he has a good head start, will call his mate to join in the feast.
For those who have a flock of backyard chickens, this food calling behavior is also quite noticeable. Whenever they are feasting on a few handfuls of scratch grains or other food, they will cluck softly in what can only be described as a contented fashion. Other nearby chickens who hear the food call from others of their flock will come running in response. On the other hand, most birds of prey will fight ferociously to keep others away from their kills.

Click here for more information about why birds sing.