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• Programs: Series 1 & 2
  Series 3 & 4
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• 10-Minute Sampler
• Introduction
• Vocal Range of Songbirds
• Importance of Song
• Birdsong: Learned or Innate?
• Syrinx: Dual Voicebox
• Calls and Songs
• Call Notes
• Chicken Calls
• Song and Breathing
• Circular Breathing
• Egg Calls
• Coiled Trachea
• Throat Singing
• Whistling
• Size and Sound
• Regional Song Dialects
• Drumming: Woodpeckers Etc.
• Song Duels?
• Rusten Interview

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Program Information — Series 1 & 2
Click on a program in the right-hand column to see a description and program notes.

Anatomy of the Syrinx Program Description The syrinx is the y-shaped dual voicebox of songbirds. Song control involves both the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the syrinx. Some songbirds can control each branch of the syrinx independently. Program & Recording Notes Chris Tenney recorded the Swainson's thrush near Carmel River, and I used his dawn chorus recording from a nearby location. Web Resources I highly recommend watching one or more of the online multimedia animations of the workings of the syrinx: An older animation is from the Suthers Lab Animations of the Syrinx. A newer set of animations and explanations of the syrinx comes from the Cornell Ornithology Lab's "All About Bird Song".

Series 1 Introduction Vocal Range Importance of Song Avoiding Monotony Learning Song Hip Hop Mimicry Hummingbird Complexity Syrinx Anatomy Internal Duets (Cardinal) Internal Duets (Cowbird) Internal Duets (Thrushes) Syrinx & Pan Pipes Series 2 Songs & Calls Call Repertoires Alarm Calls Mobbing Calls Call Notes Cross-Species Alarms Pishing Breathing Lungs & Air Sacs Circular Breathing Resonance Cooing