Mimics do sing a song unique to their species (in the case of the starling, this includes a long series of teakettle whistles, clattering, and shrieks that many are reluctant to term a song). But true mimics like starlings do something else too: they imitate sounds from their environment—novel and improbable sounds that lie far outside of the usual explanation for birdsong. They appear to select these sounds at will; we can attempt to teach starlings sounds and tunes, and they will turn their nose up at some and latch onto others.
“Mimics do sing a song unique to their species (in the case of the starling, this includes a long series of teakettle whistles, clattering, and shrieks that many are reluctant to term a song). But true mimics like starlings do something else too: they imitate sounds from their environment—novel and improbable sounds that lie far outside of the usual explanation for birdsong. They appear to select these sounds at will; we can attempt to teach starlings sounds and tunes, and they will turn their nose up at some and latch onto others.”
