Name That Tune

Take On The Challenge Of Identifying Birds By Their Sweet Melodies. It’s Easy With These Expert Tips.

- Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman

Step into the backyard on a summer morning and you’re likely to be greeted by a chorus of chirps and trills. Robins are caroling and chickadees are singing chickadee-dee-dee-dee. Suddenly, a different tune, a snappy wichity-wichity, stands out from the others. A search along the hedge behind the garden reveals a yellowthroat, a new bird for your yard!

Almost all birds make some kind of sounds, and most give both calls and songs. Calls are usually short notes, like the tchip from a cardinal, and you may hear them in all seasons. Songs are usually longer and more complicated, and they’re typically heard in spring and summer. Any time is a good time to begin birding by ear.

sweet-sweet-sweet, I am so sweet!

Start with Your Backyard Friends