How to Mimic Bird Sounds

Bird mimicry expert Dan Gardoqui shares some tips and tricks to make mimicking birds accessible to all. Listen to him do some crazy bird sounds, from owls to robins to finches as well.

[@KathrynRile]

Boy, did my dog love this lesson.

[@emilyhsmith]

Too Cute!!!🐶😂

[@idalala222]

Awww

[@fabioragsdill1564]

°~°

[@freespirit_17]

My dog was going crazy😂

[@thetreehugger7273]

😂😂

[@markribley8643]

loved it. first time i could get my kids engaged in something positive & fun on the internet!

[@LeadwithNature]

Well that just makes me smile! :)

[@lillianhorn7352]

yes, i did search this up

[@perfectlypurepinkpompompan3467]

Loved the part about whistling while breathing in: you can do different things that way!! So cool.

[@LeadwithNature]

Thank you!

[@seanharvey9199]

I recently learnt how to do a crow imitation, but I’ve been able to do small amounts of sparrows and doves. This video helped a lot with the mindset for learning new birds

[@LeadwithNature]

Excellent! Keep going.

[@corvushowls.]

Wow I want to learn how to do a crow sound!!!

[@paulbraunstein2290]

You’re a beautiful soul, dude.

[@LeadwithNature]

Wow, thank you

[@TwoSoundsatOnce]

I have two parakeets I whistle bird sounds to them I know that's odd. I find that when they blink at you really slow and close their eyes slowly it's a sign of trust and I've noticed that the behavior has shown more trust and they look you in the eyes it's really cool. I like that you mentioned nonverbal communication as well

[@LeadwithNature]

Thank you!

[@Tamilinou]

I first got into imitating some birds because of this clock my father got from his uncle. That first one you say have ever learnt really reminds me of its 12 o'clock owl sound! Ah, nostalgia...

[@sarahglassco3890]

Lots of fun to listen and try to make these sounds!

[@TwoSoundsatOnce]

I have a book I wrote on basic biological or biolinguistic communication and emulation of animals. On my channel I have a Black Capped Chickadee tutorial. I call it bio whistling and I think whistling does have a large part to it as it does in beatboxing for certain humming and beatboxing synth sounds. I like the breaking it down into specific species.

[@beverlydsmrs8155]

it's 1am and I'm failing miserably, my dogs are trying to leave my room

[@LeadwithNature]

That's truly hilarious (not to make fun - but the image of it cracks me up) :) Any luck since then?

[@beverlydsmrs8155]

@@LeadwithNature haha it was funny, I'm getting so close, just need to keep practicing! :)

[@amaralawson-chavanu325]

I have to make bird sounds for an audition & this was honestly… so helpful. Thank you lmao.

[@LeadwithNature]

Awesome! Break a leg ;)

[@seph8265]

I actually learned how to whistle by inhaling, then later on I also learned how to whistle by exhaling. So now I know both.

[@Kristiansand808]

I love whistling basic bird songs, but the way you did the robin with your teeth sounded so good, i'm practicing and all i can get are basic and quiet whistles, can't even move my tongue while doing it. I hope I can get better 😁

[@LeadwithNature]

It's tricky...and some mouths are shaped different than others. Keep at it!

[@luisat431]

He just did that video just to flex on us with that beatboxing 😂👌

[@LeadwithNature]

ha ha! I'm more bird guy than beatboxer - that's for sure ;0

[@luisat431]

@@LeadwithNature but that impressive as well. I always try to imitate birds when I hear them but for some it's really difficult

[@zacharyrian4597]

Bro this was super cool to watch. I find myself mimicking R2-D2 at random, and I figured I would give birds a shot! Very cool. Love the talent! Embrace being a mimic!!

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@robertw.7302]

Dan, could you imitate a purple martin sometime? I really like their gurgling sounds and dawn song.

[@LeadwithNature]

I'll put it in the queue. That said, I hear them so rarely that I'll surely need to practice that one!

[@Mahealthmatters]

New subscriber here! I love birds and I’m a mimicker myself. 1:50 I’m glad to know that whistling isn’t a main component haha!

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@audreymeyer5616]

Very helpful. I have always made sounds with my mouth and ever since I was a kid I would make baby voices. I can still turn that on today at 35.

[@LeadwithNature]

Glad to hear it!

[@nukelewman]

Dude I relate to this video so hard, I am a mimic of basically all the sounds I hear, birds especially. I now want to practice getting even better

[@LeadwithNature]

Right on! Keep on making noises

[@andreitoth621]

You can do loon and mourning dove calls by cupping your hands and blowing the right way! Search up "hand ocarina" or "hand flute"

[@AlyxAesthetics]

Its easy

[@geminice7884]

He just casually beat boxes like a pro

[@senseibowie1808]

I love birds and man some of the calls you did I heard them before as a kid I used to copy them but you did really good my goal is to learn mocking bird calls which is one of my favorite

[@LeadwithNature]

Thank you.

[@bon_caulks]

Found your channel by chance, but dude I love your attitude! You're really engaging, and your voice is so soothing and reassuring. I've been worrying about a lot of things in my personal life lately, but just watching a couple of your videos this morning has made me feel so much better :)))

[@LeadwithNature]

Glad it's helpful! Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@CSilva-nx6go]

Nice. Good stuff. Thanks.

[@JonStratford1234]

Great video! I’m sitting here with the doors open hearing cardinals, robins and goldfinches as you are making the sounds of…cardinals and robins and goldfinches. :)

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@nobodygnomes]

Glad I found this channel! Very fun and informative

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it. Please spread the word and share.

[@dumbsheep1134]

I have to make bird sounds for a choir song so thanks for this!

[@cinnamon_paws]

I’m a bird therian and I’ve been trying to find videos on how to make bird sounds for my vocals, and this really helped!! Thank you so much :)

[@manic_sputtering]

IM A AFRICAN WILD DOG THERIAN HIIII

[@foogazy465]

Hello

[@corvushowls.]

I'm a crow Therian!!

[@DmnkBrn]

Great video for sound designers and foley artists! 👍🏻

[@LeadwithNature]

I've done a bit of work (mostly bird/animal calls) for some video productions recently. If you know anyone looking for bird sounds, send them my way.

[@aleixpizasureda8067]

So cool, man! Keep it up! ❤️

[@leenaa9550]

You're an absolute hero!!

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it. Please spread the word and share.

[@thevirtunaut1856]

hell yeah. thank you. im learning to try and impress someone i fell in love with

[@studiozazuvt]

So great

[@cynthiaajmurray1827]

Wow... amazing gift, thanks for sharing!

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@Therian.101]

Most people watch this to learn how to mimic birds, I'm watching this to learn how to mimic Cheetah chirps.

[@LeadwithNature]

Say more...

[@Therian.101]

Well, I'm not that good at it yet, But I think it would be cool if you made a video On how to make sounds like a Cheetah, lion, tiger, ect.

[@manic_sputtering]

IM TRYING TO MIMIC AFRICAN WILD DOG CHIRPS :D

[@TwoSoundsatOnce]

I also found that the cuckoo bird sounds very very similar to a cuckoo clock. I've been a beatboxer for a very long time including since I was a kid making emulations of sound effects. And I began actual percussion and instrumentation sounds when I was in college in 2004. In 2012 I started to take a paradigm shift that beatboxing could be more than just entertainment but could be used for practical purposes. Mine started with Crow calling and Canadian toads and other birds. This is really encouraging man. I felt like people have just don't get it. I believe that we as humans can be poly linguistic or many languages as it comes to animals. Animals don't use abstract thought the way we do but for their basic needs I believe we can tap into some of that with our vocal capabilities. Thank you!

[@LeadwithNature]

Very cool. I'd love to hear/see some of your stuff.

[@funbrandi2603]

I bet you LOVED that guy from the 80s movies Michael Winslow?? BTW my hen was within in earshot and was enthralled. Not the brightest of birds but I adore her nonetheless. 💕

[@leland4581]

You are awesome at this

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks, man :)

[@brandonsmly]

Amazing

[@michaelenegabriel]

genuine thank youu :)

[@EcologywithHannah]

Amazing!!

[@LeadwithNature]

thank you, Hannah! Please share if you have a moment.

[@rideronthewhitehorse2012]

Yeah bro NJ barrens is where its at good video

[@blueblaze6243]

Thanks for this!

[@LeadwithNature]

My pleasure! Please spread the word :)

[@blueblaze6243]

@@LeadwithNature already have!

[@Gymdove]

Haha my dog cried when you made the dog bark

[@anitaangyal4644]

Thank you!

[@LeadwithNature]

You're very welcome!

[@sibac00]

I love it ❤️ thank you.... now I feel I am normal ✌️

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@rzec]

he's just so down to earth.... so human....

[@LeadwithNature]

I'm At least 95% human...maybe a little mockingbird in there 😂

[@PRAYINGMANTIS.]

That meme got me learning mimicking birds

[@rafayn]

you’re so cool!

[@talhajaved4271]

This is best skill

[@jeanne7552]

Wow, that is cool... I'm sitting here trying to do it and it's not coming out anywhere close... except maybe the morning dove

[@LeadwithNature]

Jeanne - it can take a while (like anything, right?)...keep going :)

[@wolfmaan]

Sgt. Larvell Jones at our service!

[@notsohandytim5090]

My toughest mimic challenge was the Ringed Neck pheasant. I don't think I ever quite got it. 🤨

[@pi-r-squared517]

Hi Dan! How do you shape your mouth and tongue to be able to make sounds like the song sparrow? I’d love to see a follow-up video that goes into more specifics. I can whistle normally but I can’t seem to figure out how to make these really high-pitched bird sounds. :)

[@LeadwithNature]

It's a little tricky...but all I can say is "mess around" a lot...and, when you get closer to the sound, try slight tweaks of the tounge and/or lips....good luck!

[@pi-r-squared517]

@@LeadwithNature Thanks, Dan!

[@marta5sings]

YOU ROCK!!!

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks for the feedback. Please share these with anyone you think would enjoy them!

[@TipsyKookaburra]

Can you explain how you did the high pitched sound better? All I get is a hissing sound

[@alexiscruz8909]

Wow!

[@hunzaglory8313]

Nice

[@PrincessCVmomma]

Thank you so much my mom still doesn’t know I’m making those noises

[@seph8265]

2:09 This guy can be the voice actor for Donald Duck

[@LeadwithNature]

I'm honored you'd say that :)

[@emilyhsmith]

Great video! I am a mimic, singer, ... as well, totally relate to your story. Do you know of the bird species that sounds like they are saying,"Too many birds here"? quickly repeated of course, I hear it EVERYDAY and can't see it to identify it! It makes me laugh every time I hear it or think of it! LOL! Peace, love and light to you and your family! 🐦

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks! Where are you located and do you hear it outside of the nesting season as well?

[@emilyhsmith]

I'm hearing it currently; I live in central Texas. A little less than in the past month. When is nesting season? Spring? Twitterpated time! Like Bambi, ha ha! You can't miss hearing it! So hilarious!

[@AH-bm4ts]

I thought you were going to give a shout-out to being inspired by Michael Winslow but he started as a beatboxer, so you were close.

[@LeadwithNature]

He was boss

[@MsBossDJ]

This is the coolest thing. I can't wait to give it a try, but I'm concerned that I will scare the birds!

[@hrishikeshjadhav5143]

Do it in the barracks.

[@user-jt2ed2tx9l]

i sometimes chrip by singing in a opera voice in a really high pitched voice

[@LeadwithNature]

Whoa! That's wonderful!

[@farinafranqui]

Most of the birds I see are cardinals, Robin's, blue birds, brown Thrashers, blue Jay's, mourning doves, and others

[@snusankatt]

Since you’re a good imitator and mimic, you should try to learn a sound called “poh snare” very fun to do and sounds awesome. There are tutorials on KZbin to help.

[@dogfy27]

4:53 whislte sound

[@nibzlegend99]

I cannot whistle while moving my tongue how can I get over that. No matter what I do the same whistle sounds come out

[@perdu6603]

How do you place your tongue for the last one? I've been looking for a proper tutorial as I can't figure out how it works

[@franimal86]

lol never heard someone call the 1980’s “the late 1900’s” but I’m stealing it

[@igneo.s4554]

someone who also makes weird sounds like me but also is super talented, im ready for marriage dawg

[@Pedro-vl7yr]

I actually don't know why, but I learned how to whistle by whistling in. And nobody told me to, I guess I just found it easier. Also, whistling in creates way more powerful whistles, idk why.

[@LeadwithNature]

Whatever works, right?

[@orbsphere-]

Found this wanting to identify an owl I hear early mornings. Sounds like morning dove but lower and slower with longer interval between hoots. Anybody? I use my hand ocarina to mimic - no success yet though. Have a hummingbird I chat--up usually first time I open door. Even seems to flit around to show where he's at. First tried to imitate sound made when chases other hummers away from his feeder but then figured he was probably "cursing" them away so was able to find a cheep cheep cheep sound he responds to. When first moved here 60 years ago was undeveloped hill behind us (all built-up now) had bird that made 3 notes then repeated faster which I can do but would like to know which bird - don't hear at all anymore but is docent nature trail close by will have to stop by some day to see if they know. Fun time here, thanks for sharing.

[@LeadwithNature]

Did you ever figure out the owl? Sounds like a Great-Horned call to me.

[@orbsphere-]

​@@LeadwithNatureThanks. That agrees with what I figured it must be. Haven't made it over to the docents but this gives me incentive. When I find out which bird I'll let you know so you can add to your repertoire.

[@basicone7393]

Friend, I need a tutorial for the 7:45 whistle. I've been trying it for months, but I just can't seem to get it right. I would really appreciate it if you could tell me how you do it.

[@kecklo4207]

Hey man, this stuffs crazy impressive. How do you make the whistling sound just by putting your teeth together?When I do it it just makes an S sound.

[@LeadwithNature]

Thanks! FYI - I'm not just putting my teeth together, but I 'm also moving my tongue a lot behind my teeth. That's what allows the pitch change, etc.

[@kecklo4207]

@@LeadwithNatureThanks! is there any specific shape you make with you tongue that makes the whistle sound instead of the S sound?

[@LeadwithNature]

@@kecklo4207 Yes, imagine your tongue has the profile of a taco shell at the front...this funnels air from the back of your tongue (which, of course is flatter in the back) to the teeth through a narrow opening. You can then "wave" the tip of your tongue up and down to adjust the pitch/tone of the whistle. Have fun practicing!

[@kecklo4207]

@@LeadwithNatureThank you!

[@samtegeder6610]

Can you do morning doves?

[@LeadwithNature]

Yessir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZS0mHqDq7SVgrc

[@BLKSH33P_FIL]

yo str8 kingship

[@artemis6333]

I can pretty much make a perfect pigeon call

[@J17_BT62]

not sure if this counts but i can do Godzilla pretty good

[@LeadwithNature]

Sweet!

[@iandanielcassidy8126]

I'm very good at making Godzilla roars, Jurassic Park Tyrannosaurus Rex roars, and other monster sound effects from my childhood memories.

[@farinafranqui]

How do you do a brown thrasher? I see a lot near my house in GA

[@LeadwithNature]

Farina...patience. Sitting still and paying attention right outside your house is the way. Keep me posted!

[@farinafranqui]

@@LeadwithNature I liked the tutorial, thanks for it

[@Mikeig]

Bro really said: 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦

[@LeadwithNature]

I sure did.

[@LimeadeTheCow]

I can make hawk or a Falcon call and chicks

[@LeadwithNature]

Awesome!

[@alexiswilliamsinc]

Was it a screech owl? 🙃

[@paulbraunstein2290]

I promise that everyday now in my life I will mimic a Robin at work. Wish me luck, youtubers!! 🐦 🐦

[@LeadwithNature]

Sounds like a plan :)

[@jerryfinch7647]

Walton Goggins

[@LeadwithNature]

I've never heard that one...I do see some resemblance :)

[@insectcat7057]

The Spirit of Bird

[@karnpanyadilok8682]

Wow Now I can do only little felines

[@r4jnn184]

Could you please do jackdaws!!!!

[@LeadwithNature]

Maybe one day :)

[@Solanumtuberous]

My teeth are too gapped to do that teeth one

[@rookforrester5225]

sounds like echolalia

[@dotnet9830]

you kinda look like Terry A. Davis

[@tardigrademicro]

I make squirrel sounds to assert dominance over the squirrels robbing my bird feeders

[@LeadwithNature]

That's hilarous.

[@davidazinger5639]

I don't think you can teach this; its a gift.

[@perfectlypurepinkpompompan3467]

lol thankfully, no. All you have to do is develop your whistling skills and use them to mimic bird songs. Many birds have songs which are very easy - chickadees and some sparrows (white-throated for example), while others take a LOT of work, lol. That said, most of them can be learned by almost anyone with a bit (or a lot) of practice.

[@markribley8643]

i tried his suggestions & did learn some things, but yes he is definitely gifted

[@The_Diminished]

Nothing is gifted, everything is learnt. You don’t come out of the womb with certain skills; you develop them over time, just like everything else.

[@shadmajaved3646]

I can make bird voice

[@krobuskoffee3354]

I'm playing a kenku and I'm bored.

[@sevenheadedhydra1896]

Same here lol

[@s2000s7]

SAME LMFAO

[@ginger2741]

It’s that gap in his teeth, I’m telling you

[@LeadwithNature]

I think that helps - on some of the calls for sure - but not all.

[@aderyn7600]

i can roll my uvula and whistle but i can't do that dang hand trick whatsoever. can't copy a bird but i can sure as hell make a cricket sound.

[@LeadwithNature]

Keep trying...mess around. Some sounds take a while to craft.

[@sukhvinderdhani]

What girls think men do vs what men actually do 😂

[@LeadwithNature]

Not sure what to make of that, but thanks for watching!

[@N3P_TUN3Z]

Is it that women just can’t do this?? Cause I tried so hard and I fuckin can’t-

[@LeadwithNature]

Don't be too hard on yourself. It's a unique skill and not everyone can get it right away.

[@WGPblackmagicSPECIAL]

Hahaha this weirdo