The Northern Cardinal has some really amazing and note-worthy sounds! Males sing year round, females do some singing as well, and all cardinals make noises galore.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Who's That Singing? Baltimore Oriole
Who’s That Singing? American Robin
Nothing says “Spring is here!!” like the song of the American Robin. This common bird is many of our favorites for good reason. Its sounds are cheerful, familiar, and in Wisconsin synonymous with the arrival of warmer weather and springtime flowers. The American Robin makes a lot of different noises, and makes them often. It is a bird you are likely to hear on a daily basis, and once you commit their sounds to memory, you’ll be hearing them all over!
Photo by Arlene Koziol
A Bird in the Hand
No matter how many calls you hear and songs you listen to, the noises don’t always give you a sense for the shape and size of the bird. For folks who are blind or visually impaired, this shape and size mystery is a missing piece of the puzzle.
Enter: Patrick Collins. We reached out to the UW-Madison’s School of Human Ecology, which houses departments that are full of creative, innovative students whose expertise is to MAKE things. We asked them, “Can you help us make 3D birds?” Patrick, a graduate student, said yes.
Photo by Rowan Koester-Jess
Birding by Ear: Sounds of the Winter Woods
Winter bird activity certainly isn't as hustlin' and bustlin' as it is during spring migration, but it has its own special joys. It also has some unexpected benefits. You'll likely see and hear fewer species on your outings in winter than in any other season, but that's not a bad thing. It's a hidden opportunity. If the woods are mostly quiet, it gives you more opportunity to really learn and recognize the birds you do hear. Many newer birders struggle with birding by ear (I know I sure do!) but winter is a great time to improve this skill.
Birding by ear is hard, but this week's Entryway to Birding blog brings you some pointers and mnemonics to help you sort out who's-who on your winter outings.
Photo by Nick Busse
