Tropical Bird Sounds


Resplendent Quetzal

The Resplendent Quetzal page presents an analogy between the iridescence of the Quetzal's feathers and an auditory illusion at a Mayan temple, believed by some to be an attempt to capture in stone the call of the Quetzal.

A recording of the Resplendent Quetzal's flight call ('perwicka') [.wav]

(All of these samples are 8-bit, sorry.)

 

Three-Wattled Bell-bird

The Bell-bird page presents the discovery that the Bell-bird's distinctive metallic "bonk" sound appears to consist of three simultaneous tones roughly a semitone apart, perhaps created by multiple independent vocal resonators.

A Bell-bird recording [.wav]

A smaller sample [.wav]

 

Thrush

The thrush page presents some interesting slowed-down 2-part harmony thrush sounds, apparently produced by a single individual.

Thrush recording [.wav]

 


 

The binaural recording, "It's a Jungle in There: Sounds of the Tropical Rainforest in 3-D," is now available in MP3 format.

Also see my essay on mockingbird song.

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