15
$\begingroup$

Flipper was a tv show in the 60s about a dolphin and his humans. There is this sound that flipper supposedly makes out of water that is unlike any other dolphin sound I have heard (I have studied underwater acoustics of pelagic dolphins for a long time). I have always wondered if this is a sound that dolphins may make in the air? Or perhaps they can be trained to make this sound? Or perhaps this sound is synthetic/fake?

Does anyone know if this is a real sound that dolphins make?

Link to sound on youtube.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

16
$\begingroup$

The Washington Post reports that according to Jennifer Durkin from the Baltimore's National Aquarium:

The friendly voice of the dolphin in "Flipper" was dubbed -- it was, in fact, a recording of Australia's kookaburra bird.

Check out here, they sound similar to Flipper indeed :-)

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ That is amazing--- over the years I have periodically become re-obsessed with this question & never found any info on it.... Thank you!!! $\endgroup$
    – Shannon
    Jul 20, 2022 at 22:15
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Hi @Shannon you can "accept" this answer, I think, to mark it as correct $\endgroup$
    – Dan Stowell
    Jul 27, 2022 at 11:18

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.