Some years ago, I read about chickadees (small birds found in parts of the U.S. and Canada) having a similar alarm system (1) -- certain types of calls for certain types of predators (e.g., hawks, cats, or owls) and additional modifications based on the perceived threat (including lengthening the call for more dangerous animals).
One of the most interesting aspects of these calls is the "mobbing" signal, which is used to call other chickadees and even other bird species.
The birds are quite endearing; they have a small black cap on a white head and two easily recognizable calls -- the "chicka-dee-dee-dee" alarm call and a sad-sounding, two- or three-note call (2). If you live in the northeast U.S. and set up a bird feeder during the winter, you'll probably get them to visit.
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Some years ago, I read about chickadees (small birds found in parts of the U.S. and Canada) having a similar alarm system (1) -- certain types of calls for certain types of predators (e.g., hawks, cats, or owls) and additional modifications based on the perceived threat (including lengthening the call for more dangerous animals).
One of the most interesting aspects of these calls is the "mobbing" signal, which is used to call other chickadees and even other bird species.
The birds are quite endearing; they have a small black cap on a white head and two easily recognizable calls -- the "chicka-dee-dee-dee" alarm call and a sad-sounding, two- or three-note call (2). If you live in the northeast U.S. and set up a bird feeder during the winter, you'll probably get them to visit.
1) http://www.washington.edu/news/2005/06/23/chickadees-alarm-c...
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l41nXK4ZdUA