Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 06/10/2016 10:43:55

Title: How do song birds breathe to produce long periods of song?
Post by: thedoc on 06/10/2016 10:43:55

I saw a sedge warbler singing recently, I realised immediately it didnt seem to take in lots of air to produce its song, and it kept singing for well over a minute without seeming to take a breath. So how do song birds breathe to produce long periods of song?

Asked by Antony Craig


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[chapter podcast=1001476 track=16.10.04/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.10.04_1005759.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd)  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/16.10.04/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.10.04_1005759.mp3)

Title: Re: How do song birds breathe to produce long periods of song?
Post by: Atomic-S on 23/07/2016 08:24:41

I suspect it  breathes quickly  between notes, but you were unaware of it.

Title: Re: How do song birds breathe to produce long periods of song?
Post by: Colin2B on 23/07/2016 10:08:39

Yes, they take a series of mini breaths.
They also have 2 voice membranes at the branch to the lungs and so can sing 2 notes at once, harmonising with themselves.