How Humans and Birds Make Sound

In the picture

1. 1Human vocal cords: they vibrate at the top of the windpipe, in the throat.
2. 2Human mouth: this hollow space shapes the sound into words.
3. 3Bird syrinx: it vibrates at the bottom of the windpipe, where it splits in two.
4. 4Bird beak and throat: this hollow space shapes the song.

Examples

• Put your fingers on your throat and hum: you can feel your vocal cords buzzing high up in your neck.
• A parrot can copy words by shaping the sound from its syrinx with its throat, tongue and beak.

Quiz: How Humans and Birds Make Sound (Age 11)

1. 1

   Where does a bird make its sound?

   • At the top of its windpipe, in its throat, just like you
   • Deep in its chest, where its windpipe splits in two
   • In its beak, which vibrates to make the song
2. 2

   Where do your vocal cords vibrate to make your voice?

   • Deep in your chest, where your windpipe splits in two
   • In your mouth, just behind your teeth
   • At the top of your windpipe, in your throat
3. 3

   After the sound is made, what do your mouth and a bird’s beak both do?

   • They shape the sound, because they are hollow spaces it travels into
   • They make the sound, because that is where the vibrating happens
   • They make the sound louder, but they cannot change how it sounds

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.