Abandoned baby birds taught how to sing with dawn chorus recordings

The charity says the CDs - which are played twice a day at its wildlife centres - help to acclimatise captive birds before they are released back into the wild.

Singing lesson: Orphaned birds are being taught how to sing by listening to recordings of the dawn chorus

Every year, around 4,500 fledglings are handed over to the RSPCA. They account for a third of all the creatures the organisation cares for and are usually in captivity for 50 days.

Sometimes the birds are in genuine need, but more often, well meaning animal lovers mistake fledglings sitting on the ground for orphans - without realising that their mothers are close by and still providing food.

Although the ability to sing is hardwired into birds' brains, an RSPCA study found that they need to listen to other birds of the same species to master the skills.

Hundreds of fledglings at RSPCA wildlife centres are being played the CDs of the dawn chorus

Tim Thomas, an RSPCA wildlife officer, said: 'The ability to sing is extremely important to the males of most bird species because it is vital for them to form and then defend their own territory and find a mate.

'Female birds in many species choose a partner based on the way they sing.

'Birds learn to sing from their parents so being reared in captivity can mean that they don't know how to sing properly.

'Our study found that the majority of birds species benefit from being played birdsong - they listen to it and it helps them become good singers which will in turn help them to survive when they are released.'

RSPCA officers will monitor some birds released from their centres later this year to see whether the birdsong CDs have helped them adapt to life in the wild.