Book 31, Question 87 · Video
Can birds hear very low sounds that people can’t?
Most birds hear a narrower range than we do. They are best at the middle notes found in songs and calls, and they hear few of the very high squeaks that you can hear. But some birds, like pigeons, can hear extremely low rumbles called infrasound, which are too low for human ears. These deep sounds travel a long way and may give birds clues about the weather and landscape.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Can birds hear very low sounds that people can’t?
The Big Idea
Birds hear well. But do they hear the same sounds we do? Can they hear very low sounds?
A Narrower Range
Step one: A Narrower Range. Most birds hear a narrower range of sounds than we do. They're best at the middle notes found in songs and calls, and they hear few of the very high squeaks you can hear.
Infrasound
Step two: Infrasound. But some birds, like pigeons, can hear extremely low rumbles called infrasound. Those sounds are too low for human ears.
Long-Distance Clues
Step three: Long-Distance Clues. Deep sounds travel a long way. They may give birds clues about the weather and the landscape around them.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Heard best. Few heard. Very low. Can hear it.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Infrasound can come from waves, wind over mountains, and storms. Pigeons hear very low rumbles. We can hear higher squeaks than most birds. Low sounds may help birds find their way.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, play a deep drum beat on a speaker at low volume. Gently rest your hand on the speaker. Can you feel the beat? Turn it off when you're done. You can feel low sounds even when they're hard to hear.
Outro
Most birds hear a narrower range than we do and are best at middle notes. But some, like pigeons, can hear infrasound, super low rumbles we can't hear, which may give clues about weather and land. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!