Tune those ears up – it’s time for the first Birding By Ear lesson! We’ll listen to three common bird songs heard throughout Sonoma County in spring and discuss song identification.
Song Sparrow
First up is the Song Sparrow. We find that Song Sparrow songs are best identified by focusing on overall structure. Listen for the pattern of 2-5 introductory notes on the same pitch, followed by a mix of short buzzes and trills. (A trill is a musical phrase consisting of a single note repeated rapidly.) An average Song Sparrow song lasts between two and three seconds.
Below are songs from two different individuals. Though the songs aren’t identical, if we pay attention to the overall construction – a few loud intro notes, followed by a rich jumble of sounds – the similarity becomes apparent.
This one sings three intro notes on the same pitch, moves on to a trill, and ends with two short buzzes.
This Song Sparrow also begins his song with three clear notes, but follows it immediately with a buzz, and eventually ends in a trill.
Savannah Sparrow
Next up is the Savannah Sparrow, whose song is patterned similarly to the Song Sparrow – several introductory notes on the same pitch, followed by a jumble of sounds. However, the overall quality of a Savannah Sparrow’s song is higher in pitch, thinner, buzzier, and less robust or musical.
Its song begins with a few high-pitched notes, and the latter portion always features a prominent buzzy phrase more akin to an insect than a bird. To us, this sustained, insect-like buzz is a key component to identifying the song.
This Savannah Sparrow begins with four intro notes, throws in a couple quick whistles, and follows with the sustained buzz. Notice how thin the various phrases sound.
Here’s another individual – this time, the bird begins with three intro notes, but then still features the prominent, elongated buzz.
Bewick’s Wren
Finally, we have the Bewick’s Wren. The Bewick’s Wren’s song – though highly variable – is generally rhythmic, ringing, and repetitive. A typical song lasts about two seconds, and consists of three to five distinct phrases.
As variable as Bewick’s Wren’s songs are, a couple phrase types are often included. One phrase to listen for is a quick, slightly rising buzz or whistle, which usually occurs towards the start of the song. Another is a fairly deliberate trill, usually performed towards the end of the song.
Though superficially similar to the Song Sparrow’s song with the inclusion of buzzes and trills – to us, each Bewick’s Wren phrase has a particularly deliberate quality, rather than the often more-jumbled phrases of a Song Sparrow.
This wren sings a single high note, then a slightly ascending buzz, and ends with a sustained trill.
This Bewick’s Wren begins with three high-pitched notes, the third a bit longer and rising. It then performs a lengthy trill in the middle, and ends with a low whistle.
Stay tuned for more Birding By Ear lessons!
I will definitely bookmark this page, as these are very helpful. I have a hard time with song identification. I am going to take that class with Lisa Hug on Monday.
Man I love the buzz the Savanah sparrow makes. Thanks for the breakdown. It helps to count. The first bird has three starter notes and the second four. Good info. Do you think the Bewick’s wren is like your uncle that repeats the same story over and over and you have to be polite and be all like oh yeah wow, no kidding, great story…..