Examples of birds that whistle include the American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Wigeon, Blackbirds, and Black-Capped Chickadee.
All animals emit noise of some sort, but a select few have developed the ability to produce whistle-like sounds. These birds are able to utilize their unique vocalizations in a variety of ways, from communicating with other members of their species to deterring predators. Learn more about these fascinating creatures and the various ways they use their whistles.
Examples of Birds that Whistle
1. American Goldfinch
| Scientific Name | Spinus tristis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The American goldfinch is a small bird with a bright yellow body and black wings. These birds are commonly found in open woodlands and fields across North America. During the breeding season, male goldfinches will sing a high-pitched song in order to attract mates. This song typically consists of a series of short, sharp notes that gradually fade into a buzz.
Read Also: Do American Goldfinch Have Yellow Feathers?
2. American Robin
| Scientific Name | Turdus migratorius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada |
The American robin is a bird that is commonly found in North America. It is known for its red breast and cheerful song. The male robin uses his whistle to attract mates and warn off other males. He will also use different calls to let the females know when he has found food or when there is danger nearby.
Related Article: 12 Birds that Look Like Robins
3. American Wigeon
| Scientific Name | Mareca americana |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The males of this species are known for their distinctive whistle, which they use to attract mates and establish dominance. The females also produce a similar sound, but it is not as loud or shrill as the male’s call.
4. Blackbirds
| Scientific Name | Turdus merula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, India, and southern China |
The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush. The male bird is entirely black, while the female is dark brown with some black markings. These birds are found in woods and gardens throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are relatively small birds, with a length of about 10 inches.
5. Black-Capped Chickadee
| Scientific Name | Poecile atricapillus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | New England to the West Coast |
These North American birds are well-known for their characteristic “chick-a-dee” call, which they use to communicate with other members of their flock. Chickadees also produce a high-pitched “seet” noise when they are alarmed or excited.
6. Brown-Headed Cowbird
| Scientific Name | Molothrus ater |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The brown-headed cowbird is a small black bird with a brown head and neck. These birds are found in open woodlands and grasslands across North America. Male brown-headed cowbirds will sing a variety of songs, but the most commonly heard is a loud, whistling “whee-ooo” sound.
This whistle is used in a variety of contexts, most notably as a territorial call to warn off other male cowbirds from encroaching on their territory. The loud whistle has also been observed to be used when courting females and fighting rival males.
7. Cedar Waxwing
| Scientific Name | Bombycilla cedrorum |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the United States |
The cedar waxwing is a beautiful songbird with striking black, white, and yellow plumage. These birds are known for their distinctive whistling calls, which they use to communicate both with other members of their species and to warn predators of their presence.
In addition to vocalizing, cedar waxwings also exhibit complex social behaviors and use their feathers to communicate. For example, when a cedar waxwing is interested in mating with another bird, it will often present the potential mate with a feather as a gift.
8. Chipping Sparrows
| Scientific Name | Spizella |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
These tiny songbirds are common throughout North America and are easily recognizable by their black stripe on the crown of the head. The chirping sounds they produce can be heard from up to 300 feet away, allowing them to effectively communicate with other birds in the vicinity.
Related Article: Do Chipping Sparrow Have Eyebrows?
9. Coal Tit
| Scientific Name | Periparus ater |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, Asia, and North Africa |
The coal tit is a small songbird that can be found throughout most of Europe and northern Asia. Its exceptional vocal abilities have earned it the nickname ‘the musician bird’.
10. Common Chaffinch
| Scientific Name | Fringilla coelebs |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, Asia, and North Africa |
The common chaffinch is a small songbird found throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These birds are known for their distinct whistle-like calls, which they use for communicating with other members of their species as well as to deter predators.
Chaffinches have evolved several unique adaptations that allow them to produce these whistles. Their vocalizations are produced by a specialized structure in their throat called the syrinx, which is comprised of two membranes that vibrate to produce sound.
11. Common Chiffchaff
| Scientific Name | Phylloscopus collybita |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe and Asia |
This small songbird is found throughout Europe and Asia, where it makes its home in dense forests and other wooded areas. The chiffchaff has a unique call that is often described as a short “chiff,” and it uses this sound for a number of purposes.
First, the bird uses its whistle to defend its territory against rival chiffchaffs. Additionally, the whistles of this species have been found to serve as a sort of mating call, identifying potential mates and attracting them for breeding.
12. Common Wood Pigeon
| Scientific Name | Columba palumbus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and western Asia |
The Common Wood Pigeon is a large species of bird that is found in wooded areas throughout Europe and parts of Asia. These pigeons are known for their cooing calls, which are often described as being “hoo hoo” sounds. Common Wood Pigeons use their vocalizations for a variety of purposes, including communicating with other members of their species and attracting mates.
Related Article: Do Crested Pigeon Look Like Dove?
13. Dunnock
| Scientific Name | Prunella modularis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Eurasia |
The Dunnock, or hedge sparrow, is a small songbird found across much of Eurasia. This adaptable little bird is known for its ability to produce sharp whistles that are used for communication with other members of its species as well as for deterring predators.
The Dunnock’s whistle-like calls are highly variable, and individual birds can produce several different types of whistles depending on the situation.
14. Eastern Wood-Pewee
| Scientific Name | Contopus virens |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the United States |
The Eastern wood-peewee is a small North American songbird that produces a distinctive “wheezy whistle” call. This sound is made by exhaling through pursed lips and is used to communicate with other members of the species. The pitch of the whistle can vary depending on the bird’s mood, with higher-pitched calls indicating excitement or aggression.
15. Eurasian Blackcap
| Scientific Name | Sylvia atricapilla |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Western Europe |
The Eurasian blackcap is a small songbird that is found throughout Europe and Asia. These birds are known for their beautiful singing voices, which they use to attract mates and defend their territories. Blackcaps are also proficient whistlers, and they often include these high-pitched sounds in their songs.
16. Eurasian Blue Tit
| Scientific Name | Cyanistes caeruleus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe and the western Palearctic |
The Eurasian blue tit is a small passerine bird in the tit family. The bird is easily recognizable by its blue and yellow plumage. The blue tit is a common sight in most of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In addition to their striking appearance, blue tits are also known for their whistle-like calls.
17. European Goldfinch
| Scientific Name | Carduelis carduelis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia |
The European goldfinch is a small bird that is found in many parts of Europe. These birds are known for their beautiful plumage and their distinctive whistling call. The European goldfinch uses its whistle to communicate with other members of its species, as well as to deter predators.
18. European Robin
| Scientific Name | Erithacus rubecula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe as well as in North Africa and Central Asia |
This medium-sized bird is found throughout most of Europe and parts of western Asia. It’s recognizable by its bright orange chest and blackhead, which it uses to communicate with potential mates and deter rivals in a variety of ways.
Related Article: Do European Robin Make Noise at Night?
19. Great Tit
| Scientific Name | Parus major |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North Africa |
The great tit is a small songbird that is found in wooded areas throughout Europe and Asia. These birds are easily distinguished by their black and white plumage, as well as their distinctive call, which has been described as sounding like “tea-cher, tea-cher”.
20. Northern Cardinals
| Scientific Name | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Mexico and Central America |
These beautiful red birds are found in wooded areas throughout eastern North America. The males use their distinctive whistles to declare their territory and attract mates. Females also produce these sounds, but they are lower in pitch and not as loud.
Read Also: Do Northern Cardinal Have Mohawks?
21. Northern Saw-Whet Owl
| Scientific Name | Aegolius acadicus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The northern saw-whet owl is a small owl that can be found in wooded areas across North America. These owls are known for their raspy, high-pitched hooting calls, which they use to communicate with one another and to alert nearby predators of their presence.
22. Olive-Sided Flycatcher
| Scientific Name | Contopus cooperi |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
These birds utilize their wide range of whistles to communicate with other members of their species. They are a part of the Tyranidae family and emit a variety of high-pitched notes, including chattering sounds that resemble squeaky doors or creaking hinges.
23. Pigeon Guillemot
| Scientific Name | Cepphus columba |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North Pacific coastal waters |
These birds are easily recognized by their black and white plumage, as well as the loud whistling sounds they produce. These noises serve a variety of functions, including attracting mates, defending nests, and warning other pigeons of guillemots of potential predators. They often utter these cries while in flight or while on an exposed perch.
24. Song Sparrow
| Scientific Name | Melospiza melodia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The song sparrow is a small bird that is found in North America. These sparrows are known for their loud and melodious singing, which they use to communicate with other members of their species. The songs of male song sparrows are particularly elaborate, and they often include a variety of different notes and trills.
25. Song Thrush
| Scientific Name | Turdus philomelos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East |
The song thrush is a small songbird found throughout much of Europe and Asia. This species is known for its beautiful whistling call, which it uses to communicate with other members of its species. In addition to this vocalization, the song thrush also emits a variety of other sounds, including loud whistles and sharp rattles that are used to warn off predators.
26. Song Wren
| Scientific Name | Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama |
The song wren is a small bird found in Central and South America. These birds are known for their loud, whistle-like songs, which they use to communicate with other members of their species. Male song wrens will often sing multiple times per day in an effort to attract a mate, while females will use their whistles to keep tabs on their young.
Read Also: Do Canyon Wren Look Like Sparrow?
27. Upland Sandpiper
| Scientific Name | Bartramia longicauda |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | prairies |
The Upland Sandpiper is a small shorebird that breeds in North America. The bird gets its name from its habit of nesting on upland sites, rather than near water like most other sandpipers. The Upland Sandpiper has a distinctive whistle call that it uses to communicate with other members of its species. The bird also uses its whistling call to scare off predators, making it a highly important tool for the Upland Sandpiper.
28. Warblers
| Scientific Name | Parulidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
The vast majority of warblers are small songbirds that are found in wooded areas. Many of these birds are brightly colored, which makes them a popular target for birdwatchers. In addition to their visual appeal, warblers are also known for their complex songs, which often include whistles.
29. White-Throated Sparrow
| Scientific Name | Zonotrichia albicollis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The white-throated sparrow is a small bird that is found in North America. These sparrows are known for their loud and distinctive whistles, which they use to communicate with other members of their species.
White-throated sparrows typically whistle in a two-note sequence, with the first note being higher in pitch than the second. These birds use their whistles for a variety of purposes, including attracting mates and defending their territories.
30. Zonotrichia
| Scientific Name | Zonotrichia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The Zonotrichia is a genus of sparrows. These birds are found in North and South America, and they are known for their distinctive whistling calls. The most common member of this genus is the white-throated sparrow, which is named for its white throat patch. These birds use their whistles to communicate with other members of their species, as well as to alert other birds to the presence of predators.
Conclusion
Birds that whistle is known for their distinctive calls, which they use to communicate Birds that whistle is a general term for birds that use their voice to communicate with other members of their species. These calls can be used for a variety of purposes, such as attracting mates, establishing dominance, or warning predators of their presence. Each bird has its own unique whistle that is specific to its species.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.