This is Bird Note.

Birds make all kinds of sounds, from squawks to chirps to warbles, and they can have different meanings.

When you're first starting to bird by ear, it can be helpful to learn the difference between songs and calls.

Birds produce songs to establish territory, attract a mate, and fend-off rivals.

They're more frequently performed by males during the breeding season, but many species sing year-round,

and some female birds sing too. For example, male and female Northern Cardinals produce a song with clear whistles.

Songs can also be dry and mechanical like this chipping sparrows.

Or jumbled and metallic like this great-tailed grackles.

For everything else they need to say, birds use calls.

Contact calls help birds stick together while foraging or traveling.

This American goldfinch makes a flight call to let the flock know he's still with the

group. When there's danger nearby, black-capped chickadees make a distinctive alarm call. In fact,

chickadee alarm calls are understood by dozens of other species, including birds and birders.

For Bird Note, I'm Joni's Franklin.

Support comes from Wild Delight Bird Food, offering a variety of blends designed to mimic the natural resources wild birds crave.

Available at shooey.com.