birdsong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, natural history.
Quick answer
What does “birdsong” mean?
The musical sounds made by birds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The musical sounds made by birds.
Often used metaphorically to refer to pleasant, natural sounds reminiscent of bird vocalizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences, but the term is more common in British nature writing and conversation. American English may slightly more often use 'bird calls' or 'birds calling' in everyday speech.
Connotations
Strongly associated with rural peace, dawn choruses, and natural beauty in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “birdsong” in a Sentence
The N of birdsong filled the air.We woke to the sound of birdsong.A study of local birdsong.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “birdsong” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The woods were birdsonging at daybreak. (rare, poetic)
adjective
British English
- The birdsong-filled morning was delightful.
American English
- We enjoyed a birdsong-rich hike.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in tourism marketing (e.g., 'hotels where you wake to birdsong').
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, soundscape studies, and literature.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of peaceful settings, holidays, gardens.
Technical
Specific term in bioacoustics and ornithology for the complex vocalizations of songbirds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “birdsong”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “birdsong”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “birdsong”
- Using 'birdsong' as a countable noun too freely (e.g., 'I heard three birdsongs'). Using it to refer to a single, short call from one bird.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Birdsong' typically refers to the more complex, often melodious vocalizations of songbirds, used for territory defense and mating. 'Bird call' can refer to simpler sounds used for alarms or contact.
It is primarily a mass noun ('the sound of birdsong'). Using it as a countable noun ('a beautiful birdsong') is possible but more poetic or literary.
It's the peak period of birdsong, typically occurring just before and around sunrise, especially during the breeding season.
Yes, it is a closed compound formed from 'bird' + 'song'. It is written as one word.
The musical sounds made by birds.
Birdsong is usually formal, literary, natural history. in register.
Birdsong: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːdsɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːrdsɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A dawn chorus (specific type of intense morning birdsong)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Birds + song = the song-like sounds birds make. Picture a bird singing on a branch.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S MUSIC (birdsong as a melody or symphony composed by nature).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'birdsong' LEAST likely to be used?