They Sing in the Early Morning Light
There are over 4,000 species of birds that are considered song birds. They are capable of producing a variety of sounds commonly referred to as bird song. Evidence suggests that song birds evolved over 50 million years ago in the Australia, New Zealand area. They have since spread throughout the world. South Carolina is home to many of them.
The Baltimore Oriole
Why do they sing?
Bird song has two purposes. The first is to establish territory. The bird is identifying himself as well as signaling his whereabouts. The second use is the more obvious of the two. The male song bird is singing to attract and impress a potential mate. The songs are often long and quite melodious.
The Black-capped Chickadee sings throughout the year, but during the mating season, the male will serenade his mate with an early morning chorus. It has been known to last for up to an hour.
Listen to the Black-capped Chickadee's song. Sound Byte: Black-capped Chickadee
National Park Service
The American Goldfinch
Bird Calls are not Bird Song
Do not confuse bird song with bird calls. Bird calls are used to signal alarm or to maintain contact between a migrating flock of birds.
The Purple Finch
It's not always sweet.
Most bird songs are pleasant to hear but there are several birds that are classified as songbirds that are not so pleasant. The crow croaks and screeches, but its still considered a songbird.
Common Birds and Their Songs
by Lang Elliott
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 Blue Jay
Most Song Birds will sing throughout the year, but the chorus is the longest and the loudest during the mating season. South Carolina Residents are lucky. Many of their favorite song birds are year-round residents.
Cardinal One Way Mirror Feeder
Cardinal One Way Mirror Window Bird Feeder
Amazon Price: $23.09 (as of 12/15/2009)
The Cardinal One Way Mirror Feeder allows you to watch the birds up close without scaring them away. It fastens to the window with two heavy-duty suction cups. It's easy to see, fill and clean. It's a must have for the avid backyard bird watcher.
Favorites.
The Eastern Bluebird
Attracting Songbirds
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Attracting Birds to Your Yard
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Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world. It provides a relaxing and educational diversion from the stresses of life and work. While some people enjoy birding excursions and trekking through the wilds in search of a...
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Create a Backyard Bird Sanctuary
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Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world. It provides a relaxing and educational diversion from the stresses of life and work. It can be a meditative, solitary experience or a social activity. There are bird watchin...
Peterson's Field Guide to Birds
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)
An absolute must have for anyone with a birdfeeder and an interest in watching the birds.
Some of my Favorite Backyard Birds
The Bold and BeautifulThe American Goldfinch
The Blue Jay
The Northern Cardinal
Cheerful Singers
The European Starling
The Northern Mockingbird
The American Robin
The Shy Ones
The Eastern Bluebird
The Carolina Wren
Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens
Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)
This is an excellent book for Southern Bird Lovers. It is packed with valuable information and wonderful photographs. The descriptions of the plants and trees are detailed and list the birds they are likely to attract. It's a must have for any Southern Gardener.
What's your favorite song bird?
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Reply
- Sylvestermouse Sylvestermouse Nov 28, 2009 @ 6:58 am
- Birds are so beautiful! I love to start my day sipping a cup of coffee and taking a few moments to look out in my backyard at the beautiful birds. It is always so much fun to spot one I don't recognize.
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Aug 25, 2009 @ 4:01 am
- This lens is featured on my Pat Conroy lens. Thank you.
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Reply
- CCGAL CCGAL Jul 10, 2009 @ 8:17 am
- I know I love to hear birds, but honestly, outside of the owl and the quail, I'm not sure I would recognize any bird's call. I love to see cardinals and bluejays, though, for their colors. You've got some wonderful photos on this lens - it was a delight to read!
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Reply
- Intuitive Intuitive Jun 10, 2009 @ 8:56 am
- I love all birds, really. We seem to have a bumper crop of baby robins here in Iowa this year. They're so cute! 5*
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- VictoriaTwead VictoriaTwead Jun 9, 2009 @ 10:24 am
- Well, having a passion for wildlife myself, and having visited S Carolina for a month, this lens was fascinating to me! Beautifully put together, well done! 5* (And thanks for your visit!)
Vicky
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About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,012 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Why Birds Do That
Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/15/2009)
Birds are fascinating. Their behavior is complex, often comical. Some sing while others do not. Why Birds Do That explains forty distinctive bird behaviors and is enhanced with numerous photographs. It is a must have book for both the backyard bird watcher as well as the avid birder.
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Clemson Extension: Attracting and Feeding Song Birds
US Fish and Wildlife Service: Songbirds
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by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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