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BWD "Watch Our Website" Feature: Identify Yourself: The Eastern Loudmouths

In the May/June 2007 issue of BWD, our "Identify Yourself" column features several common bird species that are loud, persistent singers with similar songs. Author and BWD field editor Jeffrey Gordon offers several tips and mnemonics for sorting out each specie's song. We've gathered these songs here for your listening pleasure, courtesy of sound recordist Lang Elliott and our friends at birdJam. For each bird profile below, click on the control to activate, and then press "play".

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Acadian Flycatcher

This small, drab member of the Empidonax tribe of flycatchers is found in spring and summer throughout the woodlands of the eastern United States Its primary song has been described as Wick-UP! Or, some bird watchers prefer Peet-ZAH!

American Robin

Well-known even among nonbirders, the robin is found almost everywhere in North America. The robin's song is a loud, rich series of notes that sounds like cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio; often sung most fervently at dawn. The robin's call is tut-tut-tut.

Carolina Wren

Carolina wrens have an extremely variable song. They are year-round residents throughout much of the eastern United States. Their primary song is TEA-kettle, TEA-kettle, TEA-kettle; given in a loud, rolling but musical whistle. Mated pairs often sing to each other throughout the day as they forage.

Common Yellowthroat

The common yellowthroat is a warbler that sports a bandit's black mask. Unlike many warblers, the yellowthroat prefers shrubby edge habitat during spring and summer. Its common song is a loud, staccato witchety-witchety-witchety. It also give a loud call note--tchup!

Northern Cardinal

Northern cardinals are among the most regular backyard visitors in the eastern half of the United States, a nearly constant presence as long as sunflower seed is available. Year-round cardinals are likely to be hanging around the yard, because they have adapted well to humans and suburbs. The cardinal's songs are bright, clear whistles, such as what-CHEER, what-CHEER, or teew, teew, and there are many variations on these. Its call is a loud, sharp tchip.

Northern Mockingbird

Northern mockingbirds may be North America's most versatile singers. The name comes from their ability to mimic the songs of other birds. Research has shown that a territorial male mockingbird may have more than 150 different songs in his repertoire. Mockers sing in repeated phrases, repeating each song bit from two to six or more times. A typical song might include:Tweedle, Tweedle, Tweedle--Churlee, Churlee, Churlee, Churlee. They also give a harsh scold note: Tchak!

Tufted Titmouse

Another common bird of eastern woodlands and backyards is the subtly beautiful tufted titmouse. Titmice are persistent singers in spring and summer and will even sing on sunny winter days! Their loud songs ring out from the woods: Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter! They also utter a chickadee-like scold tii-ti-ti-ti-Zhree-zhree.

Backyard birdJam bird songs provided by birdJam www.birdjam.com. Bird songs copyright Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio, www.naturesound.com.

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"Identify Yourself is a goldmine for birders who are befuddled by look-alike species" – Scott Weidensaul, author of Living on the Wind and The Ghost with Trembling Wings.


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