Have you ever stepped onto your porch with a cup of coffee and listened to the magical tune of the birds? For over 40 years I’ve been an avid birdwatcher and I’ve learned that some of those calls will signal a bird that you may have never seen before. So as you enjoy your morning routine here is what to listen for.
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The Wood Thrush is known for having the most beautiful song in North America. It has a flute-like \\"ee-oh-lay\\" song that seems to come from all directions. These birds enjoy singing at the break of dawn and are evadent when the habitat is a healthy woodland area that has a lot of old trees. If you ever get the oppertunity to hear this song, consider yourself fortunate to be in a biodiverse rich forest area.
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2. The Unique "Teacher-Teacher-Teacher" Call of the Ovenbird
It’s likely you have an Ovenbird nearby if you hear something that sounds like someone saying “teacher-teacher-teacher“ increasingly loudly. These birds prefer the forest floor and build their characteristic oven-shaped nests there. Because they are often heard and rarely seen, they suggest the presence of healthy forest undergrowth. Their presence also indicates there is plenty of leaf litter for foraging.
3. The robin-like song of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak might be visiting your yard if you hear a robin that sounds like it has taken singing lessons. Although their song resembles a robin's, it is richer and more fluid. The elegant feeders during migration, black-and-white birds with a rosy breast, are a wonderful sight for early morning bird watchers.
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4. The Barred Owl's Early Morning "Who-cooks-for-you" Calls
Barred Owls can be heard calling in the early morning, and their call is a classic, “who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all.” If you hear this call, there’s a good chance you live near a mature forest with the large, old trees that provide the cavities in which Barred Owls like to nest. These owls can be very vocal before sunrise as they prepare for their day time rest.
5. The Sharp “Peter-Peter-Peter” Call of The Tufted Titmouse.
The Tufted Titmouse's distinct call, a whistled "peter-peter-peter", is a wonderful sound in any backyard. Year-round, these lovely birds can be found in many regions. Their presence is a positive sign for the population of woodland birds. During the breeding season, and while foraging, they are very active and noisy in the mornings.
6. The Dawn Song Of The Hermit Thrush
The beautiful song of a Hermit Thrush is said to sound like an angel and is made up of different phrases that sound like they are going up in pitch. This shy bird can often be heard singing very early in the day, and late in the evening. If you hear these birds you are likely in an older forest with a lot of plants underneath the canopy, and their song is so beautiful that it has been used in multiple pieces of classical music.
7. The "Drink-Your-Tea" call of the Eastern Towhee
The Eastern Towhee is easily recognized by its singing of “drink-your-tea” and is loved by many as he sings in the mornings in brushy habitats and wooded boundaries. Eastern Towhees spend much of their time underneath the leaves and in the leaf litter, but their song carries far across the setting. They are a signal of a good habitat that has ample shrubbery and grasses.
8. The Challenging Melody of a Brown Thrasher
If you hear a bird with phrases sung in pairs, with each phrase repeated 2 times, you are likely hearing a Brown Thrasher. This bird species can sing over 1100 songs, making them one of the most talented song imitators in North America. Brown Thrashers are known to be the most active during the morning and sing in areas that are healthy thickets with abundant insects and berries.
