Sounds that say things
Red-Winged Blackbird
When a male bird sings in the springtime he is often telling other
male birds to stay away.
Owls hoot. Foxes yap. Crickets chirp. Geese honk. Chipmunks chatter. And
many of these animal sounds mean something.
Some animal noises are warnings. In the spring a male red-winged
blackbird sings, “Cock-a-ree!” This is a warning to other male
blackbirds. It means, “This is my place! Stay away or I’ll fight you!”
Some animal noises are invitations. The tiny frogs called spring peepers
make a noise that sounds like sleigh bells. The noise is made by male
frogs to invite female frogs to come to them.
Some sounds are calls for help. A dolphin that is hurt or in trouble
makes a high, whistling noise. Then other dolphins come to help it.
Some sounds mean “Danger!” If the bird called a chaffinch sees a hawk in
the sky the chaffinch sings, “Seet! Sect!” Other chaffinches quickly
hide in trees and bushes where the hawk can’t see them.
Animal noises aren’t words. Animals can’t talk, as we do. But many
sounds that animals make really do say something.
Coyote
When a coyote howls, others usually begin to howl, too. Some people
think that coyote howls are signals.
When a beaver fears danger it slaps the water with its tail. This makes
a big splash and a loud noise. The noise warns other beavers of danger.
When they hear it, they hurry into the water and swim away.
Beaver
