who's that singing

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Who's That Singing? Chimney Swift

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Who's That Singing? Chimney Swift

Early September is a fabulous time to listen for Chimney Swifts, as they are migrating in full force from the US (including Wisconsin) to the Amazon basin in South America. During this time, Chimney Swifts will form big flocks at sunset through dusk, swirling around in a tornado of birds above a big chimney. Eventually they drop in and cling to the inside of the chimney, where they sleep for the night. It’s an amazing sight to behold, and full of the most adorable Chimney Swift twittering noises you can imagine! It’s so fun to watch, events called Swift Night Out are held around the country, including in Wisconsin.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

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Who's That Singing? Eastern Wood-Pewee

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But maybe part of me thinks they are so cute because of their song. The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a bird that “says its name” — you can hear the bird sing “peee-weeeee!” And they way they sing it reminds me so much of a whiney toddler! It makes me chuckle in an indulgent “well, at least it’s not my kid whining this time!” sort of way.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar FCC

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Who's That Singing? The "Seagulls"

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This group of noisy, rambunctious birds are often called “seagulls” though to be correct, it’s just “gulls.” But, from childhood “Seagulls” is how we learn to talk about them, so it’s more of a term of endearment, right? There are a number of gull species reported in southern Wisconsin, but the two most common are the ones we’ll focus on in Who’s That Singing?" today: the Ring-billed Gull and the American Herring Gull.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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Who's That Singing? Barn Swallow

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Barn Swallow babies have fledged, making the number of chattering swallows under bridges, inside of barns, and under eaves greater than usual. This acrobatic aerial insectivore (as in, they fly fast and well, and they eat insects while in flight) is a common bird species in southern Wisconsin. You can find them near any built structure, and they create nests of mud and grass under overhangs.

Photo by Mick Thompson

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Who's That Singing? American Goldfinch

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This is the time of the summer when American Goldfinches are making all sorts of noise. Goldfinches are a species that stick around Wisconsin year-round, but summer is when they really shine. Their bright yellow with black accented bodies and their “potato chip” flight calls are just fabulous.

Photo by Jo Zimny Photos FCC