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Birds and Insects Are Listening

Come learn about how backyard birds, mammals and insects gather information from each other on safety and resources. Dr. Lisa Rainsong returns for another fabulous presentation!

We are often aware of what we hear in our backyards or local parks, but to what extent are we aware that birds are listening to each other for information that is critical to their survival? Birds listen not only to their own species but also to everyone else for important clues about safety, reproduction and resources. Backyard mammals—particularly squirrels and chipmunks—give warnings that birds respond to, and even some of our insects are listening closely to each other. This program emphasizes what birds, mammals and insects are listening to and how they interpret what they hear around them.

Lisa Rainsong is a naturalist. educator, professional musician, and until her recent retirement was a member of the music theory faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She now joyfully dedicates her time to teaching at the intersection of music and natural history. She makes field recordings of birds, insects, and amphibians for the classes and programs she teaches across Ohio. As a citizen scientist, Lisa also does field research on crickets and katydids—research work that is primarily by ear—and has done surveys for regional park districts throughout Northeast Ohio. She has created an online field guide to the crickets and katydids of Northeast Ohio at listeningtoinsects.com. Her website is listeninginnature.com and her recordings and stories from the field are on her blog, Listening in Nature.

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