{"id":70431,"date":"2026-04-08T16:58:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/?p=70431"},"modified":"2026-04-08T17:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T21:19:42","slug":"parts-bird-song-rhythm-repetition-pitch-tone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/parts-bird-song-rhythm-repetition-pitch-tone\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Parts of a Bird Song: Rhythm, Repetition, Pitch, and Tone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nashville-Warbler-Shailesh-Pinto-Michigan-268052371_banner.jpg\" alt=\"singing bird.\" class=\"wp-image-71260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nashville-Warbler-Shailesh-Pinto-Michigan-268052371_banner.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nashville-Warbler-Shailesh-Pinto-Michigan-268052371_banner-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nashville-Warbler-Shailesh-Pinto-Michigan-268052371_banner-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nashville-Warbler-Shailesh-Pinto-Michigan-268052371_banner-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Nashville Warbler by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/268052371\">Shailesh Pinto \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-default bird-songs-nav has-sans-font-family has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/how-to-learn-bird-songs-and-calls\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17048\">Learning Songs &amp; Calls<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/parts-bird-song-rhythm-repetition-pitch-tone\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70431\">Basic Parts of a Song<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/how-to-use-spectrograms-learn-bird-songs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70437\">Spectrograms<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/30-mnemonics-help-remember-bird-calls\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70674\">Mnemonics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.bird-songs-nav a { display: inline-block; padding: 0 .5rem; position: relative; text-decoration: none; }\n.bird-songs-nav a:after { content: \" \"; display: block; bottom: 0; height: 2px; position absolute; width: 100%; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you first listen to a dawn chorus in full swing, the sheer onslaught of bird song can be overwhelming. How does anyone start to pick apart the chirps, whistles, and trills that are echoing out of the woods?&nbsp;The answer, of course, is to concentrate on one bird at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But don&#8217;t try to memorize an entire song at once. Instead, focus on one quality of the sound at a time. Many birds have a characteristic sound to their song.&nbsp;Once you zero in on it, you&#8217;ll be able to remember it. Here are the qualities to listen for: Rhythm, Repetition, Pitch, and Tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-sand-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Rhythm\">1. Rhythm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get used to a bird&#8217;s characteristic tempo. Marsh Wrens sing in a hurry, while White-throated Sparrows are much more leisurely. When you play these recordings, you can hear the tempo and also see it on the spectrogram (here&#8217;s <strong>how to read a spectrogram<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fast: Marsh Wren<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/638952961\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Slow: White-throated Sparrow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/616221833\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"wp-block-group sidebar-alignright sidebar-space order-bottom\"><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\"><span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" id=\"hs-cta-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\"><!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]--><a href=\"http:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/95627\/a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/95627\/a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3.png\"  alt=\"New self-paced course: Learn How to Identify Bird Songs, Click to Learn More\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(95627, 'a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3', {}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n<!--<span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\">\r\n    <span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\" id=\"hs-cta-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\">-->\r\n        <!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]-->\r\n        <!--<a href=\"http:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/95627\/394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\"  target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/95627\/394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd.png\"  alt=\"Join the Cornell Lab\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\r\n    <\/span>\r\n    <script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script>\r\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n        hbspt.cta.load(95627, '394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd', {});\r\n    <\/script>\r\n<\/span>-->\r\n<!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Repetition\">2. Repetition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some birds characteristically repeat syllables or phrases before moving on to a new sound. Northern Mockingbirds do this many times in a row. Though Brown Thrashers sound similar, they typically repeat only twice before changing to a new syllable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Bird standing on a small branch.\" class=\"wp-image-70556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Northern-Mockingbird-Joshua-Vardous-Ohio-441156381-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Northern-Mockingbird-Wil-Hershberger-ML550317.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Multiple repeats in a Northern Mockingbird song. <em>Audio by Wil Hershberger \/ Macaulay Library. Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/441156381\">Joshua Vardous \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"Bird among the grass.\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-70534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brown-Thrasher-Melissa-James-Florida-86708941-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Brown-Thrasher-Wil-Hershberger-ML550282.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Doubled notes in a Brown Thrasher song. <em>Audio by Wil Hershberger \/ Macaulay Library. Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/86708941\">Melissa James \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>. <\/em><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-sand-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Pitch\">3. Pitch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most birds sing in a characteristic range, with smaller birds (like Cedar Waxwings) typically having higher voices and larger birds (like Common Ravens) usually having deeper voices. Many bird songs change pitch, as in the Prairie Warbler&#8217;s rising, buzzy song or the Canyon Wren&#8217;s sweet descending whistles. Some birds are distinctive for having steady voices, like the Chipping Sparrow&#8217;s trill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try It: Compare Song Pitches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Tap or click to play the sound and view the spectrogram. Here&#8217;s a primer on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/how-to-use-spectrograms-learn-bird-songs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70437\">How to Read Spectrograms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High-pitched: Cedar Waxwing&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/265682621-Cedar-Waxwing-Linda-Petersen.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/265682621-Cedar-Waxwing-Linda-Petersen.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/265682621-Cedar-Waxwing-Linda-Petersen-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/265682621-Cedar-Waxwing-Linda-Petersen-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cedar Waxwing by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/265682621\">Linda Petersen \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" id=\"Basic-Parts-of-a-Bird-Song\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group ml-sound is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/550442\/embed\" height=\"500\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Low-pitched: Common Raven<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Common-Raven-Nick-Park-British-Columbia-522844651.jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Common-Raven-Nick-Park-British-Columbia-522844651.jpeg.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Common-Raven-Nick-Park-British-Columbia-522844651.jpeg-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Common-Raven-Nick-Park-British-Columbia-522844651.jpeg-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Common Raven by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/522844651\">Nick Park \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group ml-sound is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/549855\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"840\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rising: Prairie Warbler<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Prairie-Warbler-Martina-Nordstrand-North-Carolina-328330471.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Prairie-Warbler-Martina-Nordstrand-North-Carolina-328330471.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Prairie-Warbler-Martina-Nordstrand-North-Carolina-328330471-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Prairie-Warbler-Martina-Nordstrand-North-Carolina-328330471-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Prairie Warbler by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/328330471\">Martina Nordstrand \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group ml-sound is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/551544\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Descending: Canyon Wren&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Canyon-Wren-Jim-Merritt-Colorado-622897107.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Canyon-Wren-Jim-Merritt-Colorado-622897107.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Canyon-Wren-Jim-Merritt-Colorado-622897107-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Canyon-Wren-Jim-Merritt-Colorado-622897107-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Canyon Wren by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/622897107\">Jim Merritt \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group ml-sound is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/550162\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steady pitch: Chipping Sparrow<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chipping-Sparrow-Jonathan-Irons-Maryland-228217901.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chipping-Sparrow-Jonathan-Irons-Maryland-228217901.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chipping-Sparrow-Jonathan-Irons-Maryland-228217901-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chipping-Sparrow-Jonathan-Irons-Maryland-228217901-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chipping Sparrow by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/228217901\">Jonathan Irons \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group ml-sound is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/550721\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Tone\">4. Tone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tone of a bird&#8217;s song is sometimes hard to describe, but it can be very distinctive. To begin with, pay attention to whether a bird&#8217;s voice is a clear whistle, harsh or scratchy, liquid and flutelike, or a clear trill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be hard to appreciate the nuances of a sound by ear alone. Visual representations of sound, known as spectrograms, transform sounds into images. They allow you to use your eyes to pick out subtle details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can remember the quality of a bird&#8217;s voice, it can give you a clue to the bird&#8217;s identity even if the bird doesn&#8217;t sing the same notes every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try It: Compare Tones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Tap or click to play the sound and view the spectrogram. Here&#8217;s a primer on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/how-to-use-spectrograms-learn-bird-songs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70437\">How to Read Spectrograms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Whistles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/471769\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/650130635\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Harsh Tones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/653619308\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/344739781\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liquid or Flutelike Tones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/471755\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/639262404\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/653574178\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group video-ml is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/616221716\/embed\" height=\"510\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.bird-songs-nav a:nth-child(2) { color: var(--warm-black); }\n.bird-songs-nav a:nth-child(2):after { background-color: var(--gold); }\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you first listen to a dawn chorus in full swing, the sheer onslaught of bird song can be overwhelming. How does anyone start to pick apart the chirps, whistles,<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/parts-bird-song-rhythm-repetition-pitch-tone\/\" title=\"ReadBasic Parts of a Bird Song: Rhythm, Repetition, Pitch, and Tone\">&#8230; Read more 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