How to Bird Whistle

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Bird whistling is thought to be an ancient tradition used by hunters to attract birds. [1] Today, it is primarily only used academically and recreationally. Mastering the different pitches and tones to mimic various bird calls can be both a rewarding and entertaining experience. The best part about bird whistling is that you do not need much to learn the skill. To get started, you just need your mouth, your hands, and some blades of grass.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Whistling with the Cupped Hand Technique

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  1. The left edge of your right hand should rest across the base of your fingers on your left hand. This position should roughly form the shape of an upside down ‘L.’
    • If you are left handed and this initial positioning feels awkward or uncomfortable, then adjust your hand positioning accordingly and invert “right” and “left” instructions described for this process. [2]
  2. You might have to move your right hand downwards slightly to get the alignment correct, but you should not have to lift it. [3]
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  3. If done properly, your thumbs will align in front of the opening of the cup and form a chamber or cave shape. Your hands should now be airtight except for the small almond-shaped opening between your thumbs. [4]
    • When you curl the fingers on your right hand, they will slightly wrap around the outside of your left thumb. This might cause your right thumb to rest lower than the left, so you might have to lower your left thumb to make them level. [5]
  4. This is the area where you will be placing your lips to create the bird whistle. If you have your thumbs flat, you will have a harder time producing a sound. [6]
  5. It is a common mistake to place your lips over the almond-shaped opening. Do not cover the space between your thumbs because the air needs to travel back out of that space to create the sound.
  6. The air should travel down into the hollow, and you should be able to hear a deep “coo” or “hoo” sound that resembles the call of a dove or an owl. [7]
    • If you only hear air passing through your hands and no whistle, double-check to make sure your hands are sealed. It might take some practice to master this technique, so don’t get discouraged .
    • You can change the pitch of the whistle by adjusting the hollowed area of your hands. Making the area smaller will create high-pitched whistles, and making the area larger will create low-pitched whistles.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Interlocking Your Hands

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  1. The webbing between your fingers should be completely sealed, and your fingers should rest comfortably in the valleys between your knuckles.
  2. You might need to loosen or tighten your hands to get an airtight pocket.
  3. Your thumbs should be parallel to each other, and there should be a small almond-shaped opening between them.
  4. You are going to need a lot of air to create a sound, so make sure you take a deep breath.
  5. If your lips are not properly over the knuckles of your thumbs, then you will not be able to create the sound.
  6. The air should travel downwards into the hollow. If done correctly, you should hear a high or moderately pitched bird call.
    • Don’t be discouraged if you don’t create a sound on your first couple of tries. This technique can take a lot of practice to master.
    • You can create a fluttering bird call by rapidly opening and closing your fingers, or by changing the size of the hole between your thumbs. [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Creating a High-Pitched Whistle Using Grass Blades

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  1. The blade of grass should be vertical and stretched tight between the small opening created by your parallel thumbs. [9]
    • Thicker or shorter blades of grass will create low-pitched noises, and thinner or longer blades of grass will create high-pitched noises. [10]
  2. The backs of your hands should be facing you, and should roughly resemble the shape of a bird with outstretched wings. [11]
  3. If done correctly, you should hear a high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound. [12]
    • Blowing in bursts will create a “fa-fa-fa” sound, and blowing continuously will create a warbled effect. [13]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you use just your mouth to call a bird?
    Hayden Hansen
    Community Answer
    Birds only listen for their own family's whistle. If you can figure the whistle out, then yes, you can.
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    Not Helpful 73 Helpful 152
  • Question
    I'm 9 years old does it matter?
    goat
    Community Answer
    Not at all, you can do it. As long as you give it your all, and have two hands, you can do it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • If you are having problems bird whistling, make sure there are no gaps in your hands for air to escape. Try adjusting your hands and releasing the tension from your fingers to get a better seal. [14]
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      • Keep your hands steady while exhaling. Any jostling movements can stop the bird whistle from sounding. So, make sure to only move your fingers. You can start by just moving your fingertips to get a feel for the needed motion, and then lift more fully once you get more comfortable.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.birds.com/blog/birdwatching-you-know-how-to-whistledon-t-you/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ttreU6ugk
      3. ↑ https://sciencing.com/do-bird-call-5488693.html
      4. ↑ https://sciencing.com/do-bird-call-5488693.html
      5. ↑ https://sciencing.com/do-bird-call-5488693.html
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ttreU6ugk
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ttreU6ugk
      8. ↑ https://sciencing.com/do-bird-call-5488693.html
      9. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@modelrealtor/video/7091059943373032747
      1. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@modelrealtor/video/7091059943373032747
      2. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@modelrealtor/video/7091059943373032747
      3. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@modelrealtor/video/7091059943373032747
      4. ↑ https://sciencing.com/do-bird-call-5488693.html
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ttreU6ugk

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Doing bird whistles is a great way to mimic and attract different bird species. There are a few different ways to bird whistle. To use the cupped hand technique, first, overlap your hands with your palms facing upwards. Form a cup with your hands, then curl your fingers on both hands to close the cup. Push your thumbs together, and bend the tops of them, which will help you produce a good sound. When you’re ready, inhale deeply and rest your lips over your thumb knuckles. Blow into the opening between your thumbs as you move the fingers on your right hand. If you do it right, the sound should resemble a dove or owl! To learn how to use other bird whistling techniques, read on!

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