Most Wanted Songbirds

There are over 4000 species of Passeriformes, birds with a vocal organ developed in such a way as to produce various notes, commonly referred to as bird song. I recognize some of the songs but mostly I just sit back and enjoy the symphony.

The Painted Bunting






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The Northern Cardinal is a year-round resident here in South Carolina, and a regular visitor to my backyard feeder. It is a very vocal bird and will sing throughout the morning and again in the evening. During mating season the male starts singing just before dawn and keeps up the chorus throughout the day. He's not quiet about the fact that he's looking for a mate.

Click here to listen to the Northern Cardinal's Song provided by the National Park Service.

The Northern Cardinal






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The Eastern Bluebird reminds me of a fragile flower that needs pampering to survive. It's hardier than I give it credit for, but it is often the victim of backyard bullies.

The Eastern Bluebird is a cavity nester. Its natural habit has declined over the years. It is harder and harder for the little bird to find a good nesting site. To make matters worse, the more aggressive cavity nesters will evict the bluebird and take over the best sites leaving them out in the cold.

Thanks to backyard birders, their numbers are climbing again. Bluebird boxes designed with the Eastern Bluebird's wants and needs in mind are popping up in backyards everywhere. It's made a difference.
The Eastern Bluebird's song is a distinctive chir-lee, chir-lee.

Click here to listen to the Eastern Bluebird's Song provided by the National Park Service.

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Blue Jay's have a reputation of being a bully. I would like to say that such a pretty bird couldn't be a bully, but I've witnessed it too many time to deny it. They will chase the smaller birds away from the birdfeeder until they've had their fill. The easiest way to solve the problem is to put up a second feeder.

The Blue Jay is a very vocal bird. They make a number of different calls including its distinctive jay-jay. It growls when it's irritated, and chatters when its not. The Blue Jay has whistles and gurgling sounds in its repertoire as well.

Click on the link to hear the Blue Jay's Song provided by the National Park Service.

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Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)

This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Common Birds and Their Songs will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.

The American Robin is a symbol of the return of spring. After a long, hard winter spotting a Robin in the yard lifted everyone's spirits. The Robins usually arrive here in South Carolina the first part of April. I rarely spot just one. They seem to arrive in mass. Instead of the one I spotted as a child in Minnesota, I see a dozen of them spread out on the yard looking for worms.

Robins have a clear, cheerful song with a number of different songs and calls. Once you have identified their cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, you will recognize it when you hear it again. They are one of the first birds to start singing in the morning and one of the last to be heard at night. The male is extremely vocal during courtship, whistling softy to attract a mate. Both the male and the female will whistle loudly when threatened or annoyed.

Listen to the song of the American Robin provided by the National Park Service.

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The American Goldfinch is a rare sight here in South Carolina, but they love to dine at my mother's bird feeder in Minnesota. They are an entertaining little bird. There will be six to eight of them hanging on the feeder at any given time.

The American Goldfinch prefers Nyjer thistle seed to sunflowers any day of the week. Keep a feeder full and these cheerful little birds just might stop by. Their delightful chorus adds another dimension to Nature's Symphony.

Click on the link provided to listen to the American Goldfinch's chorus provided by the National Park Service.

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The Northern Mockingbird is a fascinating little bird. It can mimic almost anything. Its 'song' is a medley of calls of other birds. Each imitation is repeated three or more times in rapid succession before it moves on to another song. Some Mockingbirds have been known to master as many as 180 different calls and 400 songs. Their mimicry skills are phenomenal. They can sound like a barking dog one minute and screeching like a police siren the next.

This little bird works hard at mimicking other songbirds. The more songs he knows, the better his chances of attracting a mate.

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Garden Angel Bird Bistro Feeder

Avant Garden 8501-3 Cottage Lantern Bird Feeder

Copper Triple Tube Bird Feeder

This familiar little bird seems to be in constant motion. It can be seen hopping from branch to branch and tree to tree. Named for its easily recognized song, chick-a-dee-dee-dee, the Chickadee is a regular visitor to backyard bird feeders.

The Black-capped Chickadee has a strict hierarchy within their ranks. It's not so much the songs they can sing, but their aggressiveness that determines the social order. The most aggressive get the best nest sites, first shot at food sources, and usually have the most surviving offspring. It's a Darwinian society, but it works for them. Their numbers are increasing.

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The House Finch is one of the few birds that seem to prefer urban and suburban environments. They will settle anywhere as long as there are buildings, parks, backyards, and birdfeeders. Once they discover a birdfeeder, they will return faithfully day after day.

The House Finch's song is a cheery warble. Both the male and female sing during mating season but, only the male is heard year-round.

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch Binoculars

The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.

The Tufted Titmouse is a noisy bird and can usually be heard before it's seen. It is a social bird and will frequently join with Chickadees and Nuthatches to form small flocks. It is quick to scold predator and will join other birds.

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