Christine van Royen

This spring, I participated in several walks with bird expert Kees de Kraker. We walked between the dunes and the wood along the nature reserve the Zeepeduinen in the Netherlands. Often we halted, listening to blackbirds, tits, tomtits, robins, wrens, meadow pipits, woodpeckers, ovenbirds and more. 

Why do some birds sing so beautiful and do present themselves so exuberantly? Philosopher and biologist Vinciane Despret asked herself that question when hearing a blackbird every early morning. She describes her thoughts on birdsong and much more in her book ’Living like a Bird’. Does the blackbird sing to define his territory, a knowledge that has been created and accepted by mostly male biologists, or might there be more reasons for the bird to sing? Would it only scare intruders with its song or would the song be a way to invite neighbors and future partners, or just to be a bird on its best?

Vinciane Despret argues that the territory of a bird can be more than a known place where it searches for food and that is defended with aggressive behavior. Birdsong and the drumming of a woodpecker do show not only that the territory is taken but also that there is a safe and known place where the bird can show itself, be itself, after the quiet winter months.  And In spring, the birds create a melody to get in tune with others that are singing in its surroundings

Many animals defend their territories by soiling it with urine or other excrements or by spitting on food as human animals do, as described by philosopher Michel Serres in Le Mal Propre. The songbird does not claim property by soiling it on order to spoil it for others. The songbird sings. 

Other disciplines as bio- and eco acoustics even ask if birds might be singing together, as an ensemble.  Kees de Kraker calls early birdsong in spring a concert, but he would not go so far as to confirm that birds might be singing together. However, Vinciane Despret describes research into the choir or collective sounds of territories. Every bird and frog has its place and makes a distinctive sound for a location. A composition around territories is formed. The question remains, if this is coincidence or not.

Bio- and ecoacoustician Bernie Krause did research based on the hypothesis that animals create compositions, like we hear them as an ensemble, from birds, frogs and insects together. Every animal has its own niche of sound and space. Insects have a very specified spectrum, and amphibians and birds choose their own bandwidth. All together they create an acoustic collective in a certain area. They are animals that vocalize together in mutual kinship. Seen that way, territories become sung harmonious melodies and compositions. The songs of various species overlap each other and take each other into account- except maybe for the solitary robin.

Transgression- Saproxylic Organism