Definition of the word alarm call

The term "alarm call" derives from the behavior of birds and other animals in the wild. In many species, particularly social ones like flocks of birds or troops of primates, individuals have evolved to produce distinctive vocalizations in order to signal danger or potential threats to their group. These calls serve as a warning to others in the group, allowing them to react quickly and efficiently to potential harm. The first recorded use of the term "alarm call" can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the English naturalist Alfred Newton first used the phrase in his book "Zoology: An Elementary Text-book for Students" (1880). Since then, the term has become widely adopted in the scientific literature and popular culture, providing a succinct and intuitive way to describe this critical behavior in the natural world.