A well-known way by which male birds communicate is through their brightly colored feathers. During mating season, the brilliant plumage of many species of male birds is “shown off” to attract female birds, whose comparatively dull colors are designed to camouflage the nesting young. This will protect the vulnerable babies from predators. Female birds do tend to choose the brightest colored males, a quality which will then be carried on in the female’s future brood. There does not appear to be a real benefit to the male’s bright colors, except that they increase the chance of success at mating.

Researchers use “sonagrams” in the form of a graph in order to analyze bird songs. This way they can tell the difference between simple notes (not necessarily songs) and actual music. Real bird “songs” are commonly used when territory has been staked out and the bird seems to be rejoicing in creation.

Some bird sounds are challenging to interpret. For example, the herring gull gives a “food-finding call” when other gulls are in the vicinity. While it may seem to be an open invitation to the meal, it may actually be a way to frighten or distract the other birds away from the bounty.

Some songbirds have 16 or more basic calls, plus variations. The most commonly heard calls are made between members of a flock or mated pairs, especially at times when predators are threatening or during the rearing of a family. Birds in flocks often call to each other just to stay in touch and stick together.

Sonagrams have shown that the calls of both birds in a pair of American goldfinches are virtually identical but are different from those of other pairs. This begins in courtship when the male learns to imitate his prospective female’s call—and it is believed that in 90% of bird species, the couple will remain as a pair for life. When a mated bird is killed, its “spouse” may engage in fervent efforts to revive it.

Small birds (such as sparrows, cardinals, wrens, and chickadees) make two types of warning calls to help one another. “Chat” calls are abrupt and harsh and are used when there is danger of a ground predator such as a cat. “Seet” calls are thin and high-pitched. These are used when an airborne predator such as a falcon or hawk is flying overhead. Normally the bird sounding the alarm is wise enough to be well concealed when issuing the signal.

The truly elaborate melodies we know as “song” are actually made by relatively few of the several thousand species of birds. Scientists have observed that these songs are more common among those birds that have had the privilege of being “taught” by more experienced mentors.

When caged, birds such as parrots and mynas become good at mimicking. They do not, however, use this characteristic much in the wild. Some birds, such as blue jays, starlings, catbirds, and mockingbirds, continually adapt their song to their environment, using barking dogs, meowing cats, axes chopping wood, and automobile horns as sources of inspiration.

Probably the most important messages that birds communicate are their epistles to us. Birds, like all things in nature, have a special ministry. Birds teach humans the sweet lesson of trust. “Our heavenly Father provides for [the birds]; but they must gather the food, they must build their nests and rear their young. Every moment they are exposed to enemies that seek to destroy them. Yet how cheerily they go about their work! how full of joy are their little songs!” (Education, p. 118).

“Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father’s notice. Satan’s hatred against God leads him to delight in destroying even the dumb creatures. It is only through God’s protecting care that the birds are preserved to gladden us with their songs of joy. But He does not forget even the sparrows. ‘Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows’ (Matthew 10:31).”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 273.

When, for example, invalids are removed from dark, gloomy surroundings and are exposed to the beauties of nature, their hearts are gladdened by the melody of the birds. This has a peculiarly exhilarating effect on the human nervous system. As Jesus Himself walked upon the earth, “He enjoyed the varied notes of the birds as they caroled forth their praise to their Creator” (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 135).

“It is He who made the flowers and who gave to the sparrow its song who says, ‘Consider the lilies,’ ‘Behold the birds’ (Matthew 6:28, 26, RV). In the loveliness of the things of nature you may learn more of the wisdom of God than the schoolmen know. On the lily’s petals, God has written a message for you, written in language that your heart can read only as it unlearns the lessons of distrust and selfishness and corroding care. Why has He given you the singing birds and the gentle blossoms, but from the overflowing love of a Father’s heart, that would brighten and gladden your path of life? All that was needed for existence would have been yours without the flowers and birds, but God was not content to provide what would suffice for mere existence. He has filled earth and air and sky with glimpses of beauty to tell you of His loving thought for you. The beauty of all created things is but a gleam from the shining of His glory. If He has lavished such infinite skill upon the things of nature, for your happiness and joy, can you doubt that He will give you every needed blessing?” (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 96, 97).