"How would the world sound today had songbirds never existed? ...One may ask whether human music would have reached the heights it has, had the first songbird not sung in an Australian rainforest."
Songbirds originated in Australia millions of years ago, and from here they spread out across the world.
But even though evolution marched on, it doesn't mean that Australian bird calls are the most simple.
In fact, the variation of Australia's avian noises and the history of their songs has inspired two classically-trained musicians to pick up their 400-year-old instruments and jam with the birds.
LISTEN TO SIMONE AND MAGGIE SLATTERY TALK ABOUT THE POETRY OF BIRDS.
Vaughan Williams, The Lark Ascending, 1917.
"Everyone wants to understand art. Why not try to understand the song of a bird?"
If you like nature and have some kids in your life, here is a short taste of a new ABC podcast called ABC Classic Kids.
PODCAST BONUS. Two women, armed with a pencil and a violin, take on the history of birdsong.