bird call

American  

Or birdcall

noun

1. a sound made by a bird.

2. a sound imitating that of a bird.

3. a device used to imitate the sound of a bird.

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bird call British  

noun

1. the characteristic call or song of a bird

2. an imitation of this

3. an instrument imitating the call of a bird, used esp by hunters or bird-catchers

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Etymology

Origin of bird call

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

Anytime they hear an unfamiliar bird call, they scramble for my phone to find out what it is.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2023

Serenaded by lovelorn crickets and an occasional bird call, I strained my ears.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2023

“When I heard this bird call, I was like, that’s it,” he said.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2023

More than anything, however, Stewart is the David Attenborough of bird call.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2021

Then Millard took the phone, whistled a bird call into the receiver, and handed it back to Emma.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs