[Illustrative Image of Birds | Photo: Edi Israel / Flash90]
A study published in Current Biology reveals that songbirds communicate with different species while migrating—a finding reported today (Thursday) by Israel news site, Walla News. Researchers analyzed over 18,300 hours of acoustic recordings and found that flight calls from different bird species frequently overlap, much more than expected. This phenomenon may suggest that birds exchange information to aid navigation, find safe resting spots, or establish social connections.
Birds Communicate Mid-Flight
Led by Benjamin Van Doren of the University of Illinois, researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze flight calls from 27 bird species migrating across eastern North America in the fall. Van Doren explained that these calls may signal characteristics such as species, age, and flight speed. “If birds flying at similar speeds form connections, it could help them stay organized as a group and share critical information,” Van Doren said.
The study also suggests that birds learn from one another in non-visual ways, especially during nocturnal migrations, where visual cues are limited. Calls exchanged between birds may serve as navigational aids and help locate safe habitats.
Brotherhood of the Winged Creatures
Data showed that birds with similar wingspans, which influence flight speed, were more likely to call simultaneously. “This type of communication may help birds identify new opportunities for resting or adjusting their migration routes,” Van Doren noted. This discovery offers a partial, yet fascinating, answer to the question posed by Naomi Shemer in her famous song: “If birds could speak like humans, what stories would they tell about the lands beyond the mountains?”
Birds That Survived the Lebanon Massacre
Last month, tens of thousands of honey buzzards were observed landing in central and northern Israel as part of their massive migration from Europe and Asia to Africa. According to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), between 300,000 and 500,000 of these birds, known as European Honey Buzzards, pass through Israeli skies each migration season.
These birds face numerous threats, particularly illegal hunting. Yotam Bashan, a senior ornithologist at the SPNI, emphasized: “In countries like Lebanon, thousands of honey buzzards are slaughtered every year during migration. Fortunately, those spotted in Israel managed to escape these dangers.”
