Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Songbirds

[ysabetwordsmith]

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth runs April 25-May 15. This year, I'll be posting about birds in honor of birdfeeding. Today's topic is Songbirds.




Songbirds belong to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds Passeriformes. Out of about 5,000 species of Passeriformes, the majority (about 4,000) are Passeri. Songbirds are distinguished by a sophisticated syrinx (the vocal organ of birds) that enables them to sing intricate and beautiful songs -- although some species are talented vocalists while a few are not. The other major branch of Passeriformes, Tyranni (about 1,000 species), have a less developed syrinx and their songs tend to have a more mechanical sound; they live mostly in the tropics.

The Development of Birdsong - Learn Science at Scitable

Passerines and Songbirds

Types of Songbirds to Have in Your Yard

What Are Songbirds? Definition And Common Songbirds

What is a Songbird - Friends of the Forest


Songbirds are overwhelmingly the most common "birdfeeder" or "backyard" birds. They make up a huge group and many species are numerous. They often appear in suburban or urban environments and some species are bold enough to tolerate human company. Songbirds typically eat insects, seeds, berries, nectar, and/or fruit. Some are omnivores while others are specialists who only eat one type of food. Bear in mind that most birds raise their chicks on caterpillars, regardless of adult diet, so an abundant source of caterpillars is vital to bird survival and it also improves birdwatching success. This makes songbirds easy to attract with birdfeeders and wildlife gardening. Learn more about songbirds and how to identify birds by song. Consider getting yourself a regional guide to feeder birds or a field guide to songbirds.

4 Simple Steps to Making a Schoolyard Songbird Habitat

Bird Houses for Songbirds (to build)

How to Attract Colorful and Cheerful Songbirds to Your Yard

How to create a songbird habitat in your backyard

MANAGEMENT FOR FOREST SONGBIRDS

Managing Habitat for Grassland Birds

Recommended Plantings for Migratory Songbird Habitat Management

Scatter Garden Songbird Habitat (seed mix)

Songbird Gardens - Prairie Nursery (live plants)

Songbird Houses (to buy)

Support Native Songbirds


Birds in general, and songbirds in particular, are declining rapidly. While many causes feed into this problem, several major ones stand out. 1) Habitat loss affects any species whose territory is damaged or diminishing. Two key types of songbird habitat are grasslands and forests, especially old-growth forests. Humans are reducing both of those. 2) The insect apocalypse, largely due to pesticides, has greatly reduced the food supply for insectivorous birds, but also for birds who raise their chicks on caterpillars, which is almost all of them. 3) Climate change poses an existential threat to the biosphere in general, affecting most plant and animal species -- and especially the relationships between different species.

Audubon How To Help

Audubon Near You

Bird Reserves

Songbird populations steadily declining across the country

Where Have the Songbirds Gone?

Five Ways You Can Help Birds in a Changing Climate


What do you do to attract or protect songbirds?