the.com/songbirds
Nature's vocalists, perpetually rehearsing breakup ballads they've sung since the dinosaurs left.
means Perching birds with a specialized vocal organ that learn complex, musical calls used for courtship and territory.
from From Old English sang plus brid; the scientific name oscines comes from Latin oscen, a bird whose song gave omens to fortune-tellers.
Learned, not bornChicks learn songs from elders, like human babies babbling.
Hidden instrumentThey sing through the syrinx, deep where windpipe splits.
Dawn chorusMales sing loudest at sunrise to flaunt overnight survival.
Half of all birdsOscines number over 4,000 species worldwide.