Calls and Songs
Cassidy Anderson
Definition
- Some animals use sounds for their courtship when trying to find a mate, and they will make different noises and calls to do it. There is more to it then just chirping, barking, or howling; different animals will drum, or knock too! Animals put a lot of effort into to impress their mates.
Northern Mockinbird (birds)
Almost every type of bIrd uses a call or a song to attract mates. They chirp, tweet, and even shrike! The Mockingbird endlessly sings, and does it loud too. It can go from 2-6 times before changing to a different sound. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/sounds
(credited source on picture)
Mice
Did you know mice actually sing just like birds, but we can't hear them? It is very high pitched and can be pretty quiet. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/04/01/mice-sing-just-like-birds-but-we-cant-hear-them/Male mice will very loud and complex 'songs' when the female mouse is not in sight, but when the female mouse IS in its presence, it is more of a quiet and simple song.
This is an image of an Alston's singing mouse. Credit: Bret Pasch
Frogs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227153754.htm When it comes to frogs, they produce a huge variety of calls and sounds during their courtship. When other frogs listen to another caller, they respond by return calling. They make a croaking sound that lasts from 2-4 minutes repeatedly.
Tree frog.
Credit: © Joseph Scott / Fotolia
Orangutans
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112946180/male-orangutans-plan-share-trip-with-mates-091213/Orangutans have a throat pouch that serves as a resonating chamber for the "long call", a sequence of roars that can sometimes be heard for 2 km (1.2 miles). The males have some calls that can last for a couple of minutes. The females normally don't have long calls.
http://mobilite.mobi/wp-content/uploads/orangutan-wallpapers-9.jpg
Grasshoppers
http://science.jrank.org/pages/3123/Grasshoppers-Courtship-mating.html Grasshoppers have an amazing ability to identify their mates. Each have their own song that they make. They make the noise by rubbing or flicking the lower back legs on the fore wings to create either a chirping or clicking sound. The females have a softer "chirp" then the males. Though they all have a different song, they all sound very similar to us.
http://www.noble.org/global/ag/soils/grasshoppers/grasshopper.jpg