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00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:13,320
(ANIMALS HOOT AND CHATTER)
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00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:19,160
The natural world
is filled with sound.
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00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,280
(THUNDERCLAP)
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00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,760
But so far,
we've been hearing only part of it.
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00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:26,560
(CHITTERS)
6
00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:28,560
(GROWLS)
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00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,880
(CHIRPS)
(BUZZES)
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00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:36,640
New audio technology now captures
sounds that we can't even hear.
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00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,440
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
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00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:46,480
For some animals,
sound is the key to finding a mate...
11
00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:48,920
(CHIRPS)
12
00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:52,400
..to impress others...
13
00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,320
(CHIRPING, WHISTLING)
14
00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:58,000
(RUMBLING, POPPING)
15
00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,320
..and to warn off the competition.
16
00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:03,880
(BELLOWS)
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00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,000
(ANIMALS CHIRP AND CALL)
18
00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,080
(TWEETS)
19
00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,920
(CHIRPS, CHITTERS)
20
00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,640
(SINGS)
21
00:01:40,759 --> 00:01:43,360
(BIRDS CHIRP AND WHISTLE)
22
00:01:48,479 --> 00:01:51,120
(SINGS, CHIRPS)
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00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,680
A British woodland in spring.
24
00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:59,440
The air is filled
with the sound of bird song.
25
00:01:59,479 --> 00:02:04,760
It's a sound that brings
a lot of people a lot of pleasure...
26
00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:06,840
including me.
27
00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:11,320
And all these birds
are singing for two reasons...
28
00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:14,680
one - to establish a territory,
29
00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,000
and two - to attract a mate.
30
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,040
(BIRDS SING AND CHIRP)
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00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,960
Song travels well
in an open woodland.
32
00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:33,400
But making yourself heard can be more
challenging in a noisier environment.
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00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:39,520
And there is one creature here
that has risen to that challenge.
34
00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:51,520
This delightful little bird
is a white-throated dipper.
35
00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,840
For most birds of its size,
36
00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,920
living beside streams
is rather a dangerous place.
37
00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,960
Feathers, when they are wet,
on a bird of this size,
38
00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,560
aren't much good for flying,
39
00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:11,680
but the dipper
knows how to deal with that.
40
00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,079
As it searches for food
between the rocks,
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00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:21,120
it stops frequently to cover its
feathers with oil from a preen gland
42
00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,800
so that they stay waterproof and dry.
43
00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,200
Reaching your food underwater...
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00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,040
is just one of the problems
faced by the dipper.
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00:03:33,079 --> 00:03:35,920
Another is how do you send messages
46
00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:40,560
above the noise of the fast-flowing
stream by which you live?
47
00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:44,280
But the dipper has a way
of dealing with that as well.
48
00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,480
It's the breeding season...
49
00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,600
..and this male uses his voice
to find a partner.
50
00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:56,600
(WATER RUSHING, SOFT CHIRPING)
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00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,240
To our ears,
his singing can hardly be heard
52
00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,920
above the sound of the water.
53
00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:11,040
But eliminating
the sounds of the river
54
00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:15,840
reveals a surprisingly complex
and melodious song.
55
00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,880
(ARTICULATED CHIRPS)
56
00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,040
Most of the dipper's notes
are higher-pitched
57
00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,480
than the noise of the water.
58
00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:32,960
(MELODIC CHIRPING)
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00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:38,400
This allows others
to hear his song more easily.
60
00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,680
He has attracted
the attention of a female.
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(ELABORATE CHIRPING)
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00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:01,600
Only males in peak condition
can sing complex tunes like this.
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(SINGING)
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00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,640
His song has impressed,
65
00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,320
and his new mate will stay with him
for the rest of the year
66
00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:18,760
and help him defend this territory.
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(COMPLEX CHIRPING)
68
00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,920
Six weeks later,
and the pair have been busy.
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00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:48,159
Concealed behind the waterfall
is their nest.
70
00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,200
To ensure a steady supply of food
for the chicks,
71
00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,760
the pair have to defend
their stretch of river from others.
72
00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,560
And its their song
that acts as a warning to rivals.
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00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:16,400
(SINGS)
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00:06:23,840 --> 00:06:27,200
Together,
they present a united front.
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00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,800
(SINGING)
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00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:39,120
For any intruders,
the message is loud and clear.
77
00:06:39,159 --> 00:06:42,920
(ELABORATE CHIRPING AND SINGING)
78
00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,640
Keeping the chicks well-fed
is crucial,
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00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,440
and not just for their growth.
80
00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,960
It's needed to develop
the part of the brain
81
00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,440
responsible for learning song.
82
00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:09,840
So, they will, one day,
become proficient singers,
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like their parents.
84
00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:22,240
Two weeks on, and all three chicks
have fledged successfully.
85
00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:30,280
(CHIRPING)
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00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:34,480
These youngsters have had
the best possible start in life...
87
00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,600
..thanks to their parents
and their song.
88
00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:41,680
(SINGS)
89
00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,600
When it comes to finding a mate,
90
00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,680
power, not melody,
is sometimes needed.
91
00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:01,920
(HIGH-PITCHED CALLS)
92
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,040
(RESONANT CALLS AND GRUNTS)
93
00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:17,440
Autumn in
the Rocky Mountains of Canada.
94
00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:20,160
(SNORTS)
95
00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,400
(HIGH-PITCHED CALL)
96
00:08:32,799 --> 00:08:37,400
This bugling call of the elk
marks the change of season...
97
00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:41,400
and the beginning of the annual rut.
98
00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,800
(DEEP VOCALISATIONS)
99
00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,560
This bull is in his prime,
and over the next six weeks,
100
00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:02,240
he will push himself close to death
in order to mate.
101
00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:12,640
The females will only accept
the largest and strongest male.
102
00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,560
And his success will depend on
the power of his voice.
103
00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,560
Stretching his vocal chords,
104
00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:29,880
he produces a high-pitched shriek
through his nose.
105
00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,960
It travels over a mile...
106
00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:41,120
and announces his presence
to distant females.
107
00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,320
(BELLOWS)
108
00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:53,800
At the same time,
he makes a guttural groan...
109
00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,360
(RESONANT BELLOW)
110
00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:01,760
..which signals his size and strength
to nearby males.
111
00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:08,200
The deeper his voice,
the bigger and stronger he is.
112
00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,480
And he backs it up
with a physical display.
113
00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:33,160
(BELLOWS, CALLS)
114
00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,440
His goal is to gather
as many females as possible...
115
00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:45,440
to ensure that his genes
are the ones that are passed on.
116
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(BLEATING)
117
00:11:04,680 --> 00:11:06,880
(HIGH-PITCHED CALL)
118
00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,120
(DEEP, RESONANT VOCALISATIONS)
119
00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:13,120
Now he switches
to a different call...
120
00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,520
(VOCALISATION CONTINUES)
121
00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:21,640
..a low 'glunking' sound
to encourage the females to join him.
122
00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:30,360
A successful bull can attract
up to 20 females in one season.
123
00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,200
(DEEP VOCALISATIONS)
124
00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,760
Chemical cues,
detected with his tongue,
125
00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,520
tell him which cows are fertile.
126
00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:55,600
But retaining so many females
is easier said than done.
127
00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,640
(HIGH-PITCHED CALL)
128
00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:08,200
A rival enters the arena.
129
00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:14,080
(BELLOWING)
130
00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:23,800
Their bugles signal
that they are equally matched.
131
00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,640
There's only one way to settle this.
132
00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:32,600
He must stand his ground
or surrender his females.
133
00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:04,960
These battles can result
in serious injury, even death.
134
00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,320
(HIGH-PITCHED CALL)
135
00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,520
For the moment, at least,
136
00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:27,360
his legacy is secure.
137
00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,845
(RUMBLING)
138
00:13:41,845 --> 00:13:44,840
(RUMBLING)
139
00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:49,240
On the vast grasslands of Alberta,
140
00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,920
it takes teamwork to get noticed.
141
00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,040
(COOING)
142
00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:58,720
(RESONANT RATTLING)
143
00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:02,600
Every spring,
144
00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:07,480
male sharp-tailed grouse gather
on traditional breeding grounds...
145
00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:09,520
(RATTLING)
146
00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:13,280
..practising for their most important
performance of the year.
147
00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:16,720
(CLUCKING, RATTLING)
148
00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:19,040
And they have a remarkable array
149
00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,800
of musical instruments
at their disposal.
150
00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,120
Feet are stamped,
151
00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:32,480
and tail feathers rattled,
to produce a rhythmic beat.
152
00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,840
A low cooing sound,
153
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,800
amplified by inflatable air sacs,
154
00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,040
provides the accompanying tune.
155
00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:48,880
(CLUCKING, RATTLING)
156
00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:52,720
And it's all to attract the attention
of the females.
157
00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:58,320
The more males, the louder and more
impressive their performance.
158
00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,560
(COOING, RATTLING)
159
00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,920
But sometimes, tensions boil over.
160
00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,200
(CLUCKING)
161
00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:25,400
They need to stop squabbling
and work together.
162
00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:27,440
(RATTLING)
163
00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:52,480
Their combined song and dance
has attracted a female.
164
00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,400
(CLUCKING)
165
00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:02,280
Time for the synchronised finale.
166
00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,800
They all freeze.
167
00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,400
She takes the opportunity
to assess each male.
168
00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:20,920
(RATTLING RESUMES)
169
00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:37,800
Now she's looking for
the fastest tail rattle.
170
00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,680
And a sound
like the popping of a cork...
171
00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:48,480
(POPPING)
172
00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,320
..which females find irresistible.
173
00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,360
Their display will help her find
the fittest male in the group.
174
00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,480
And this one
has caught her attention.
175
00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,880
But not everyone
is sticking to the dance routine.
176
00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,160
A young, over-enthusiastic male
177
00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:19,240
is ruining the performance
for everyone.
178
00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,480
(CLUCKS)
179
00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,079
She's seen enough.
180
00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,120
And she's off.
181
00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:34,600
(RATTLING)
182
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:39,000
Today didn't go as planned.
183
00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,000
(CLUCKS)
184
00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:45,800
But tomorrow, they'll have
the chance to do it all over again.
185
00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,160
While grouse
benefit from joining forces,
186
00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:56,320
others must find a way
to stand out from the crowd.
187
00:17:56,360 --> 00:17:58,360
(HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEKS)
188
00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:03,800
In the deserts of Arizona,
189
00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:08,080
temperatures can soar
above 40 degrees Celsius.
190
00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:13,600
Rain hasn't fallen here
for several months.
191
00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,640
But things are about to change.
192
00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:24,960
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
193
00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,480
(WIND HOWLS)
194
00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:30,520
(CRACKLES)
195
00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,600
(THUNDERCLAP)
196
00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,440
(THUNDERCLAP)
197
00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:08,600
Within hours,
the rains flood the ground...
198
00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,320
and temporary pools appear.
199
00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:20,360
The thunder sends shockwaves
through the ground...
200
00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:24,000
(THUNDERCLAP)
201
00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,480
..which trigger an annual uprising.
202
00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:47,680
Breaking free
from their underground vaults,
203
00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:51,240
desert frogs and toads
emerge to breed.
204
00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:56,200
(CROAKS)
205
00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,720
(CACOPHONOUS CROAKING)
206
00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:04,440
They will have just one or two nights
to find a mate.
207
00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,680
And there are hundreds of frogs
in this one pool.
208
00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,280
(CROAKING CONTINUES)
209
00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,600
Not only that,
210
00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:23,000
at least five different species are
all trying to make themselves heard.
211
00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:27,960
(CROAKS)
212
00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:32,160
How is a female to find a male
of her own kind?
213
00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:35,160
(CROAKING)
214
00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:39,080
The answer, it seems,
lies in their voice.
215
00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,680
Each species has
its own distinctive call.
216
00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:50,360
(CROAKING, CHIRPING)
217
00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:54,760
(DEEP, RATTLING CROAK)
218
00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:56,880
(GROANS)
219
00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:01,440
And now we can see
just how the females do it.
220
00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,960
A specialised acoustic camera
shows sounds
221
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,840
of different frequencies
in different colours...
222
00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:12,440
(GROANING, CROAKING, CHIRPING)
223
00:21:14,120 --> 00:21:19,640
..and reveals that each species
favours different notes and rhythms,
224
00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:24,040
allowing females to pinpoint males
of their own kind.
225
00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:34,440
When it comes to mating,
226
00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,800
it generally makes sense
to stick with your own species.
227
00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:45,200
But desperate times
can lead to desperate measures.
228
00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:48,440
On the other side of the valley,
229
00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,680
the rains have been less plentiful,
230
00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:53,840
and the pools here
are dangerously shallow.
231
00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:57,040
(CROAKING)
232
00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:01,560
This plains spadefoot
needs her young to develop quickly
233
00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:03,600
before the water disappears.
234
00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,320
It's a race against the clock,
235
00:22:08,360 --> 00:22:11,680
and the calls of
two different species are deafening.
236
00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:13,880
(CROAKING, CHIRPING)
237
00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:32,280
She tunes into the calls
of her own kind of male.
238
00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,760
(CROAKS RHYTHMICALLY)
239
00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:47,680
But surprisingly, she sidesteps them.
240
00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:58,360
The pulsing call
of a Mexican spadefoot
241
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,400
has attracted her attention.
242
00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,520
He belongs to a different species,
243
00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:12,120
but, remarkably, she can still
mate with him if she so chooses.
244
00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:17,480
And in this case, she does...
245
00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,920
and for a specific reason.
246
00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:28,240
His tadpoles will develop faster
than those fathered by her own kind
247
00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:33,040
and give her young a chance to reach
maturity before the pond dries up.
248
00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,680
It's an unusual practice...
249
00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:39,720
but an effective one.
250
00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:43,040
And in an unpredictable
and warming climate,
251
00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,520
solutions like this
may help ensure their survival.
252
00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:55,800
But her decision comes at a price.
253
00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:03,880
Only female offspring produced
from this liaison will be fertile.
254
00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:10,200
But she's ensured that at least
some of her genes are passed on.
255
00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:15,523
(RUMBLING)
256
00:24:17,523 --> 00:24:20,520
(RUMBLING)
257
00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:24,680
Frogs aren't the only ones
258
00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,360
to use their voice
under the cover of darkness.
259
00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,920
(RESONANT HUMMING)
260
00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,640
On the Pacific Coast
of North America,
261
00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:43,600
the night air resonates
with an eerie hum.
262
00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:52,600
It's a sound
that baffled people for years.
263
00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:04,840
It coincides with the arrival
of a fish from the open ocean...
264
00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:11,840
..a plainfin midshipman.
265
00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:17,440
For the next three to four months,
266
00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:21,960
this male will risk his life
in the shallow intertidal zone.
267
00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:28,120
He's searching for a suitable spot
to make a nest.
268
00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,400
This one looks ideal.
269
00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,240
Time for some housekeeping.
270
00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:10,880
One final mouthful...
271
00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:16,600
..and it's complete.
272
00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:23,360
But the females
are still in deeper water.
273
00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:26,640
He needs a way
of attracting their attention.
274
00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:32,320
The onset of night is his cue.
275
00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:34,560
(DRONING HUM)
276
00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:42,200
By vibrating muscles
attached to his swim bladder,
277
00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:45,320
he produces a low-frequency hum
278
00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:47,520
that travels well through water.
279
00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:50,080
(HUMMING CONTINUES)
280
00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,240
And he's not alone.
281
00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:56,320
(CHORUS OF HUMMING)
282
00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:59,600
He's joined by dozens of others.
283
00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:15,320
The sound reaches
a staggering 110dB -
284
00:27:15,360 --> 00:27:18,480
as loud as a lion's roar...
285
00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:20,240
(HUMMING CONTINUES)
286
00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:23,480
..giving rise to the mysterious drone
287
00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:27,360
that once puzzled the people
who lived on these shores.
288
00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:31,520
(DRONING HUM)
289
00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:40,120
This sound is loud enough
to be heard by the females.
290
00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:50,760
Guided by the hum,
a female arrives, swollen with eggs.
291
00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,160
(DRONING HUM)
292
00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:57,960
The harmonics produced
by each male are slightly different,
293
00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:01,080
like a sonic fingerprint,
294
00:28:01,120 --> 00:28:04,120
and help him stand out
from the crowd.
295
00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:11,440
His song has drawn her this far,
296
00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:14,880
but now his nest is under scrutiny.
297
00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:21,280
It's to her liking.
298
00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,560
Hovering upside down,
299
00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:29,160
she lays her eggs on the roof.
300
00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:46,920
The next morning, she has gone.
301
00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:53,240
The male alone will protect the eggs
for the next three months.
302
00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:59,400
During this time, he won't feed
or leave them unattended.
303
00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,200
A crab...looking for a snack.
304
00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,240
(GROWLS)
305
00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:12,960
(GRUNTS)
306
00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,720
He sends a warning growl...
307
00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:17,920
(GROWLS)
308
00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:20,880
(GRUNTING)
309
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,320
..and a grunt.
310
00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:26,560
(GRUNTING)
311
00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:29,280
The crab finally gets the message.
312
00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,400
But the biggest challenge he faces
313
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:38,680
comes with the daily changing
of the tides.
314
00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:54,520
Midshipman fish
are adapted to breathe air,
315
00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:57,760
but the low tide
leaves him defenceless.
316
00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:07,280
With no means of escape,
it's now down to luck.
317
00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:36,160
On this tide, he's made it.
318
00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:41,360
If he and his eggs can survive
the hazardous months ahead,
319
00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:46,400
he will have helped father the next
generation of midshipman singers.
320
00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:53,480
Sound travels well underwater.
321
00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:58,920
On land, however,
it is often deflected,
322
00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:01,280
or absorbed, by the surroundings.
323
00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:08,720
Thick rainforests
pose a particular challenge.
324
00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:10,760
(HOOTING, CHITTERING)
325
00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:14,480
The dense vegetation
acts as a sound barrier...
326
00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,960
..and despite the many voices,
327
00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:20,760
most messages don't travel far.
328
00:31:22,440 --> 00:31:24,680
(DEEP CHIRPING)
329
00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:29,080
(HOOTS)
330
00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:35,280
(CHIRPS)
331
00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:36,960
(CHIRPS SQUEAKILY)
332
00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:41,080
(CHITTERS)
333
00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:42,920
(CHITTERS)
334
00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:46,080
(HIGH-PITCHED CROAKS)
335
00:31:49,040 --> 00:31:53,480
In the forests of Southeast Asia,
however, there is one animal
336
00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:56,440
that knows exactly how
to make its message heard...
337
00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:05,320
..a yellow-cheeked crested gibbon.
338
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:12,560
He moves to a higher position
where the canopy is less dense.
339
00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:18,400
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING)
340
00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:31,720
Unobstructed by trees,
341
00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:36,080
his call carries
for over a mile across the forest.
342
00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:38,200
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING CONTINUES)
343
00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:42,280
And he's not alone.
344
00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:45,040
His partner and baby are close by.
345
00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:50,760
The female now joins in
with her own song.
346
00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:53,720
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING)
347
00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:03,520
Together, their duet
sends a message to other gibbons.
348
00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:07,880
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING)
349
00:33:10,440 --> 00:33:13,920
It's a declaration
that this patch is taken,
350
00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:16,520
and the fruiting trees within it.
351
00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:19,760
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING)
352
00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:27,480
(HIGH-PITCHED HOOTING)
353
00:33:30,760 --> 00:33:34,200
Their calls spark responses
from other pairs,
354
00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:36,800
each protecting their own territory.
355
00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:46,360
It's a noisy but effective
early-morning roll call
356
00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:49,080
to establish the order of the forest.
357
00:33:56,560 --> 00:34:00,080
While gibbons sing
over the forest canopy...
358
00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:06,600
..deep within the forest, some
animals use the plants themselves
359
00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:08,719
to transmit their messages.
360
00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:13,120
It's a world of sound
that we can't hear...
361
00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:16,239
..but is clear to those that can.
362
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:26,080
A male treehopper.
363
00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:30,199
Only half an inch long,
364
00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:34,840
it lives in an acoustic world
entirely unlike our own.
365
00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:39,840
But with a special laser vibrometer,
366
00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:42,600
we can now hear these sounds.
367
00:34:42,639 --> 00:34:45,320
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
368
00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:54,400
He shakes his abdomen
a hundred times a second
369
00:34:54,440 --> 00:34:59,080
to produce a low sound
that vibrates through the stem.
370
00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:01,400
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
371
00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:06,920
It's a courtship song that spreads
through every part of the plant.
372
00:35:18,120 --> 00:35:22,000
A female receives his message
through her legs...
373
00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:24,120
loud and clear.
374
00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:30,800
She's ready to mate,
and she answers back.
375
00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,440
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
376
00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:40,920
But she could be anywhere
on the plant.
377
00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:47,600
To find her, he needs to keep
the conversation flowing.
378
00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:51,120
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
379
00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:02,760
Using her sound to navigate,
380
00:36:02,800 --> 00:36:05,880
his direction of travel is determined
381
00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:09,920
by whether it hits
his front or rear legs first.
382
00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:18,200
He must be quick.
383
00:36:18,240 --> 00:36:21,840
Her signal may be picked up
by other males on the same plant.
384
00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:32,320
But this crossroad
is proving hard to read.
385
00:36:36,040 --> 00:36:37,720
He checks for directions.
386
00:37:06,760 --> 00:37:09,240
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
387
00:37:09,280 --> 00:37:12,280
Now the signal is coming from behind.
388
00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:16,480
He's taken a wrong turn.
389
00:37:23,680 --> 00:37:27,000
His detour has cost him
valuable time.
390
00:37:33,920 --> 00:37:36,000
Found her at last.
391
00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:39,440
But he's too late.
392
00:37:39,480 --> 00:37:41,840
Another male has beaten him to it.
393
00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:49,520
However, there are plenty more
treehoppers in the forest.
394
00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:00,201
(RUMBLING)
395
00:38:02,201 --> 00:38:05,160
(RUMBLING)
396
00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:07,200
(CHIRPING)
397
00:38:08,120 --> 00:38:12,400
Most animal calls
are encoded in their DNA.
398
00:38:12,440 --> 00:38:16,840
But some can enhance their repertoire
in other ways.
399
00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:20,200
(CHIRPS AND SINGS)
400
00:38:34,280 --> 00:38:36,360
A starling.
401
00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:39,600
Ah! Ooh, and a hungry one at that.
402
00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:44,080
They are, in fact, one of
our most accomplished singers.
403
00:38:44,120 --> 00:38:47,760
And they not only have
their own songs,
404
00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:52,200
but they can also mimic
the songs of other species.
405
00:38:52,240 --> 00:38:55,520
And it's all done
in order to impress the females.
406
00:38:56,800 --> 00:39:00,720
And they're not the only bird
that can imitate others.
407
00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:07,920
The forests of Eastern Australia...
408
00:39:07,960 --> 00:39:11,440
are home to one of nature's
most accomplished mimics...
409
00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:17,840
(CHIRPS)
410
00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:26,720
(MIMICS MECHANICAL SOUND)
411
00:39:26,760 --> 00:39:28,280
(CHIRPS)
412
00:39:29,960 --> 00:39:33,280
(CHIRPS)
413
00:39:35,840 --> 00:39:38,760
..the superb lyrebird.
414
00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:47,360
And this mound of earth is his stage.
415
00:39:48,840 --> 00:39:50,840
(MIMICS MECHANICAL SOUND)
416
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:52,880
(CHIRPS)
417
00:39:54,480 --> 00:39:56,400
(CHIRPS)
418
00:39:56,440 --> 00:39:59,480
This modest performance
won't be enough.
419
00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:05,240
Female lyrebirds are fussy
and demand more complex songs.
420
00:40:08,160 --> 00:40:10,240
But he has a solution.
421
00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:14,160
He listens carefully
to the sounds around him...
422
00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:17,080
(MIMICS ANIMAL HOOTING)
423
00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:22,600
(MIMICS HOOTING AND HOLLERING)
424
00:40:22,640 --> 00:40:28,000
(CONTINUES HOOTING)
425
00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,360
..and mimics them perfectly.
426
00:40:30,400 --> 00:40:33,560
(HIGH-PITCHED SINGING)
427
00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:38,800
(IMITATES BIRD SONG)
428
00:40:43,240 --> 00:40:45,520
(CHIRPS)
429
00:40:45,560 --> 00:40:47,800
(IMITATES CHIRPING)
430
00:40:51,120 --> 00:40:55,160
He can learn the songs
of over 20 different birds.
431
00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,200
(SINGS)
432
00:40:59,760 --> 00:41:02,600
And he's not only a mimic -
433
00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:05,960
by stringing the songs together
in his own way,
434
00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:08,120
he's also a composer.
435
00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:13,600
(WHISTLES, CHIRPS)
436
00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:26,360
(MIMICS MECHANICAL SOUND)
437
00:41:26,400 --> 00:41:30,920
No two lyrebirds
sing exactly the same tune.
438
00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:34,120
(CHIRPS, HOOTS)
439
00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:37,800
With age,
his songs become more intricate
440
00:41:37,840 --> 00:41:40,840
and give him greater success
with the females.
441
00:41:40,880 --> 00:41:46,200
(HOOTS, CHIRPS, SINGS)
442
00:41:48,800 --> 00:41:51,720
But the lyrebird's world
is changing,
443
00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:57,120
and urban settlements have replaced
much of its natural home.
444
00:41:58,560 --> 00:42:00,920
(HORNS HONK)
445
00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:03,880
And with it have gone
many of the songsters
446
00:42:03,920 --> 00:42:06,400
that he relied on for his tunes.
447
00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:13,120
Luckily, this bird is a virtuoso.
448
00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:15,880
(ALARM WAILS)
449
00:42:17,360 --> 00:42:19,400
A car alarm...
450
00:42:21,080 --> 00:42:24,560
(IMITATES ALARM)
451
00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:27,880
(IMITATES CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING)
452
00:42:27,920 --> 00:42:30,520
..a camera shutter...
453
00:42:31,360 --> 00:42:33,240
(BABY CRIES)
454
00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:36,200
..and even a crying human baby.
455
00:42:36,240 --> 00:42:40,600
(IMITATES BABY CRYING)
456
00:42:41,520 --> 00:42:45,560
(WAILS)
457
00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:49,240
This sound...is anyone's guess.
458
00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:57,800
But it's done the trick
and got him noticed...
459
00:42:59,280 --> 00:43:01,600
..a female.
460
00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:04,960
He may have
an unusual choice of tunes,
461
00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:08,960
but they add to his repertoire,
and that's all matters.
462
00:43:09,000 --> 00:43:11,800
(CHIRPS)
463
00:43:11,840 --> 00:43:15,520
If she is impressed,
she'll choose him to father
464
00:43:15,560 --> 00:43:19,480
the next generation
of master songsters and mimics.
465
00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:22,920
(HOOTS, CHIRPS)
466
00:43:27,560 --> 00:43:30,320
(HONKING, CHIRPING)
467
00:43:30,360 --> 00:43:34,560
(ANIMALS CALL AND HOOT)
468
00:43:37,240 --> 00:43:41,720
Many of the sounds we hear in nature
are the voices of animals.
469
00:43:44,400 --> 00:43:46,720
But some creatures are so quiet,
470
00:43:46,760 --> 00:43:49,800
they appear to be making
no sound at all.
471
00:43:51,440 --> 00:43:55,400
We wanted to film one of these -
the treehopper.
472
00:43:55,440 --> 00:43:58,400
But how do you record
the sound of a creature
473
00:43:58,440 --> 00:44:00,280
we ourselves can't even hear?
474
00:44:02,440 --> 00:44:07,720
Dr Rex Cocroft is a biologist
at the University of Missouri.
475
00:44:09,880 --> 00:44:15,480
He's fascinated by creatures that
communicate using just vibrations.
476
00:44:18,760 --> 00:44:22,200
There are at least
200,000 species out there
477
00:44:22,240 --> 00:44:25,280
singing in ways
that are silent to us.
478
00:44:25,320 --> 00:44:29,440
And that's way more songs than
if you add up all of the birds,
479
00:44:29,480 --> 00:44:32,760
and the fish and the whales,
and the frogs out there. So...
480
00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:37,040
the majority of animal sounds are
ones that we don't actually hear.
481
00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:40,600
Which makes them
a challenge to study.
482
00:44:44,560 --> 00:44:49,360
But a special sound-recording device
solved the problem.
483
00:44:51,520 --> 00:44:54,200
It's called a vibrometer...
484
00:44:54,240 --> 00:44:57,440
and uses a laser beam to detect
the slightest vibrations
485
00:44:57,480 --> 00:44:59,760
on the surface of an object.
486
00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:03,920
By amplifying these sounds,
487
00:45:03,960 --> 00:45:08,960
the vibrometer allowed Rex to listen
in on treehopper communication.
488
00:45:10,120 --> 00:45:12,520
(TREEHOPPER CHIRPING AND TAPPING)
489
00:45:14,200 --> 00:45:17,840
This little treehopper
sounds like a tap-dancing monkey.
490
00:45:20,320 --> 00:45:23,760
(RHYTHMIC HOOTING)
491
00:45:23,800 --> 00:45:27,800
Another one sounded like
an owl laughing at its own joke.
492
00:45:27,840 --> 00:45:29,760
(RHYTHMIC HOOTING)
493
00:45:29,800 --> 00:45:34,200
(CLUCKING)
494
00:45:34,240 --> 00:45:38,000
One male treehopper
sounded like a clucking hen.
495
00:45:39,640 --> 00:45:41,520
(CLUCKS)
496
00:45:41,560 --> 00:45:44,320
(TREEHOPPER RATTLING)
497
00:45:44,360 --> 00:45:47,080
Another one
sounded like a woodpecker...
498
00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:49,280
followed by a tiny car honking.
499
00:45:49,320 --> 00:45:53,240
(HONKS AND RATTLES)
500
00:45:53,280 --> 00:45:57,560
Oh, my gosh.
I was just lost at that moment.
501
00:45:57,600 --> 00:46:02,080
There was no going back because
I heard these wonderful...sounds
502
00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:05,080
that were right there
in one small plant.
503
00:46:07,120 --> 00:46:10,320
Let me put this here.
And how high do you want this?
504
00:46:10,360 --> 00:46:14,960
Rex's discovery proved irresistible
to our film crew,
505
00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:18,000
led by Director Nalini Crack.
506
00:46:19,760 --> 00:46:23,880
Nalini wants to record
the courtship duet of a treehopper.
507
00:46:28,080 --> 00:46:31,840
Helping her is Vikrant Palan
from Polytec,
508
00:46:31,880 --> 00:46:34,760
with his company's
most advanced vibrometer.
509
00:46:34,800 --> 00:46:36,520
Yeah.
510
00:46:36,560 --> 00:46:39,080
Getting there. Yeah.
Good, good, good. Good, good.
511
00:46:39,120 --> 00:46:43,600
Nalini has placed a female
on the stem of the plant.
512
00:46:43,640 --> 00:46:46,880
Let's try putting a male on there
513
00:46:46,920 --> 00:46:48,920
and see if we can get him calling.
514
00:46:52,880 --> 00:46:56,800
The male song
will vibrate through the stem.
515
00:46:56,840 --> 00:47:00,600
If the female answers,
he'll follow her call.
516
00:47:02,400 --> 00:47:04,400
Go on, little guy.
517
00:47:07,080 --> 00:47:09,120
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
518
00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:11,800
(GASPS)Here he goes.
Yeah, that was it.That was it?
519
00:47:11,840 --> 00:47:13,240
That was him.
Yeah.
520
00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:16,760
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
Wow!Oh, my God!
521
00:47:21,240 --> 00:47:25,000
But his vibrations
aren't having the desired effect.
522
00:47:26,040 --> 00:47:28,720
She doesn't want him. (LAUGHS)
523
00:47:28,760 --> 00:47:30,880
She's not into it.
524
00:47:32,280 --> 00:47:34,320
(DEEP, RESONANT RUMBLING)
525
00:47:37,320 --> 00:47:39,200
(FEMALE TREEHOPPER RUMBLES)
Oh, wow.
526
00:47:39,240 --> 00:47:42,320
Finally, his love song is answered.
527
00:47:42,360 --> 00:47:44,000
(LAUGHS) It's amazing.
528
00:47:59,320 --> 00:48:01,760
These insects that sing silently
529
00:48:01,800 --> 00:48:04,440
are just as magical in their way.
530
00:48:06,800 --> 00:48:09,400
We're only just
beginning to understand
531
00:48:09,440 --> 00:48:13,880
the secret sounds
of nature's smallest creatures.
532
00:48:27,200 --> 00:48:30,320
The story of sound continues...
533
00:48:30,360 --> 00:48:32,440
(CHIRPING)
534
00:48:32,480 --> 00:48:36,240
..as baby animals attempt to survive
535
00:48:36,280 --> 00:48:38,520
in a perilous world...
536
00:48:38,560 --> 00:48:41,400
with the help of their voices.
(CHIRPS)(YELPS)
537
00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:44,880
(HOWLING)
538
00:48:47,280 --> 00:48:50,880
(WHISTLING, CHIRPING)
539
00:48:50,920 --> 00:48:53,920
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