Some ornithologists contend that variations in the songs of birds delineate different species. Expert birder Brett Whitney, featured in "
Cornell University's Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds may prove influential in this debate. The Macaulay Library, which is focused on education and conservation, boasts the world's largest collection of animal music -- a veritable Virgin Records of Mother Nature's greatest hits.
Below, Macaulay Library recordings of the bay-breasted warbler and blackpoll warbler, two apparently similar birds with very different songs. To identify the blackpoll, listen for short, staccato-like notes. The bay-breasted warbler, on the other hand, sings tunes with elongated notes. See if you can guess them correctly.
(You will need Real Player to listen to these clips. Download a free player here.)
> Click to listen
> Click to listen
138 years of Popular Science at your fingertips.
Each issue has been completely reimagined for your iPad. See our amazing new vision for magazines that goes far beyond the printed page
Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone or Android phone with full articles, images and offline viewing
Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed
Science is reinventing play, from extreme sports to gamification to ridiculous roller coasters to the playgrounds of tomorrow, and this issue is chock full of fun. Also, on a less fun note: Did global warming destroy my hometown?