tech
'How much have we missed?': book tunes in to overlooked world of female birdsong
Authors set out to correct under-representation of female sounds – and found some surprising revelations
TL;DR
- Female birdsong has been historically overlooked and under-represented in sound archives and field guides.
- Globally, up to 70% of female bird species sing, often as vividly as males, for territorial displays, pair bonding, and mate attraction.
- A new book, 'The Sound Approach to Birding 2,' aims to correct this oversight by detailing female birdsong and its functions.
- Research indicates that female birds may influence song trends, with males adopting newer styles rewarded with better territories and mates.
- Examples like the alpine accentor, tawny owl, and barn swallow illustrate the diverse and significant roles of female birdsong.