Page 7 - Kind News, September/October 2022

AMAZING WORLD

WHY DO

BIRDS

Chirp. Whistle. Croak. Rattle. Songbirds can make Learning to identify birds by their songs can be
all of these sounds and many more. Birds in this as much fun as spotting them by sight. Try to listen
group learn how to sing by using a special voice to the birds in your neighborhood — especially
box called a syrinx [see-rinks]. Birds sing to defend when they are active in the morning or evening. You
their territories (an area of land they live in). Birds might be surprised by what you hear!
also sing to attract and impress potential mates
OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP: BIGSTOCK/SERGEY38RU; BIGSTOCK/ALEKSANDR SHYRIPA; BIGSTOCK/IRA SHPILLER; BIGSTOCK/NYNKEVAN HOLTEN;
and to communicate with other birds. If you hear a
bird singing, chances are that bird is a male, but
females can sing too. Some birds can sing two Did you know?
notes at once!
Songbirds learn their songs while they are still in There are free phone apps to help you
the nest. This phase of learning is known as the identify birds by their song! With the
critical period, when nestlings listen to the adult help of an adult, look up Merlin Bird ID
birds singing around them. Some songbirds, such as or BirdNET Sound ID apps by the
catbirds and mockingbirds, learn to mimic, or copy, or Android.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Apple
other birds, frogs, and even car alarms!

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: BIGSTOCK/PAUL SPARKS; BIGSTOCK/AKSANA ZAVADSKAYA
CRITTER CLUES

I
1 can be found on land, lakes and 5 My shell protects my soft
ponds, or the sea. body from predators and
sometimes waves.
2 I travel slowly using a muscle that
moves like waves, leaving slime 6 I have thousands of tiny teeth
along the way. you need a microscope to see!
3 I don’t have hands, but I favor 7 My eyes are on the ends
my right side. of my antennae.

4 When I make my shell, it
spirals clockwise.
What aM I?

THAT'S OPOSSUM-BULL! Sept/Oct 2022 | 7
RIDDLE ANSWER: (KEEP SAYING IT AND YOU WILL GET IT.)