Last updated on April 6th, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Pishing refers to the act of coaxing birds out into the open with a “Pssh! Pssh! Pssh!” noise. There are several reasons why this works, all depending on how the birds make sense of the noise.
In some cases, the birds assume the calls are coming from other birds, while others are unsure what’s making the sound and are curious.
Below are 5 reasons why Pishing attracts birds:
1. Pishing Sounds Like Warning Calls
One theory is that pishing sounds similar to the warning calls birds make when they see predators.
When birds make predator warning calls, others swarm into the area to create a mob. The swarm makes a lot of noise, telling the predator that it’s been seen.
This takes away the predator’s element of surprise and makes it less likely to attack.
If your pishing comes across as a warning call, the chances are that many birds will swarm into the area and start making noise.
2. Pishing Sounds Like the Begging Noises Nestlings Make
Pishing is especially successful during the breeding season, which would suggest that the sound has something to do with the sounds nestlings make.
Nestlings make a sound similar to pishing when they want food.
So, birds will respond to pishing during the breeding season, thinking that they hear a young bird in need.
3. Pishing Sounds Like the Call of a Bird That’s Been Hurt
Pishing may also draw birds out into the open because they think they hear a bird in pain. Birds will respond to these sounds in case there’s a source of danger nearby.
Birds will even respond if they think the pishing sound sounds like a squirrel in pain.
In general, there is a lot of crossover in the way different species make and respond to sounds associated with pain.
4. Pishing Sounds Like the Flapping of Insect Wings
Another theory is that pishing sounds similar to the flapping of insect wings. Many birds feed on insects and are attracted to their sound.
If birds believe there are insects nearby, they’re likely to show up but less likely to make noise than if they think the sound is something else.
5. Pishing Makes Birds Generally Curious
Another thought is that birds are simply attracted to new sounds. When humans make pishing noises, they will come to check it out to see what the new sound is.
But once the birds learn what the sound is and where it’s coming from, they will stop showing up and start learning to ignore it.
The Ethics of Pishing
Most birding organizations advise using discretion with pishing. It can disrupt birds and other birders.
In the case of a birding competition or research project, it’s not a fair way to use the technique to draw out birds.
If you see a rare bird nearby, avoid pishing, as this can be disorienting to the visitor.
You should also avoid pishing when other birders are nearby, as it can negatively impact their birding experience.
Will Pishing Make Birds Vulnerable to Predators?
There’s a chance that pishing will make birds more vulnerable to predators, but the risk is small, as birds quickly leave after coming out to investigate the noise.
The birds also tend to come out of cover together, making noise. Predators are less likely to attack a mob than an individual.
Common Birds Are Attracted to Pishing
The most common of birds attracted to pishing are passerines like these:
- Chickadees
- Titmice
- Vireos
- Orioles
- Shrikes
- Nuthatches
- Wrens
Pishing does not work on all birds because each species uses different noises to alert each other.
For example, gulls and eagles are unlikely to respond to pishing, along with most birds from the tropics.
How to Use Pishing To Attract Birds
Pishing is easy to learn. You simply make a repeated “Pssh!” or “Kssh!” noise and wait for birds to come out.
However, there are several tricks to it that you should take into account.
- Make sure that you’re making the right sound. It should sound like a harsh shushing noise, as demonstrated in the following video:
- Make sure that you use the technique at appropriate times. This means avoiding pishing when predators like cats are nearby and when other birders or researchers are trying to watch for birds. They may be seeking insights into the organic behavior of birds, which pishing gets in the way of.
- Don’t be afraid to mix it up. Some birders have had success mixing pishing with other call imitations, and others have the best luck simply standing and quietly waiting for birds to arrive. Be open-minded and responsive to the birds in your area as you try your new pishing technique.
Do Bird Song Recordings or Sounds Attract Birds?
In addition to pishing, some birders use recordings of bird songs or imitations of their calls to draw them out.
The birds will likely interpret the calls as territorial expressions of a rival. This can be effective for drawing them out but confusing and disruptive for the birds.
These recordings are especially effective during the breeding season when birds are especially protective of their nesting territory.
But be mindful of the disruption that you may cause if you overplay the audio.
Note that playing recordings of bird songs is prohibited in many wildlife refuges and parks.
So, be sure to take note of any relevant regulations before you head out into the field.
If you do play bird song recordings to attract birds, play less than 30 seconds of audio at a time, taking long breaks between playbacks.
After about five minutes, stop playing audio altogether.
The audio should be soft, enough to tease the bird out of hiding but not so much that it will inspire fear and aggression.