Birding books often describe bird calls or songs in words, but I find it fun to make up my own descriptions.
Here's an example: On a walk in the woods with my wife, I tried to stimulate her interest in birds by pointing out what the American goldfinch was saying. The books describe their call as "per-chic-o-ree," but I told my wife it was saying, "Look at me!" (It worked for a while, but she's still not a birder.)
So, what do you hear birds saying? I'll start with a short list of my favorites:
What can you add to the list?
Here's an example: On a walk in the woods with my wife, I tried to stimulate her interest in birds by pointing out what the American goldfinch was saying. The books describe their call as "per-chic-o-ree," but I told my wife it was saying, "Look at me!" (It worked for a while, but she's still not a birder.)
So, what do you hear birds saying? I'll start with a short list of my favorites:
- American Goldfinch: Conventional: "per-chic-o-ree." I hear: "Look at me!"
- Phainopepla: Conventional: "wurp." I hear: My three-year-old granddaughter saying, "huh?"
- White-breasted nuthatch: Conventional: "yank-yank." I hear: A cartoon character from many years ago saying "Snarf! Snarf!"
What can you add to the list?