Resource: What Sounds Do Animals Make?

With the exception of humans, and perhaps chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, few animals have language. They don't speak words, and they certainly can't read or write. This does not mean, however, that animals don't communicate. In fact, it is possible to recognize the meaning in a wide variety of animal sounds. Do you know what the animals around you are saying?

Birds are some of the very best animal communicators. Their vocalizations, often referred to as "songs" or "calls," typically serve two important functions. One, as exhibited by the songbird in the video segment, is to announce to potential mates that the singer is available, while at the same time saying to rivals, "This location is occupied. Don't come any closer." The second important function that bird vocalizations serve is to warn other birds in the area that a predator is nearby and that they should beware.

Frogs, too, use songs to mark territories and to inform potential mates of their presence. Bullfrogs, like the one shown in the video segment, often claim small territories on social breeding grounds and guard those spots throughout the night, backing up threatening postures with vocalizations that can be more easily interpreted in complete darkness. Lions also use menacing roars to establish dominance in a pride.

Social creatures, including the whales, chimpanzees, and seals shown in the video segment, rely heavily on vocalizations for their communication. Calls and songs are often the best way for individuals to locate and recognize others from their social group. Foraging whales, for example, often swim outside of visual contact with members of their group. With nearly constant whistles and clicks, however, it is easy for each whale to know the whereabouts of every other whale in the group.

Chimpanzees also use vocalizations to keep track of members of their social group. However, chimps and other large apes, including gorillas and orangutans, make far more than simple contact sounds. Scientists who study chimpanzees have identified about three dozen chimp vocalizations, each with its own meaning. In fact, combined with their sophisticated body language and wide range of facial expressions, chimps seem to have little difficulty communicating just about anything they need to say.

Why do you think animals need to communicate?

Choose two animals from the video and explain what you think they might be trying to communicate.

Which of these animals makes sounds most like the ones you make?