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This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

October 18, 2009
On the brush pile at Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

Silent Singer

The song sparrow is one of the loveliest bird singers, with a song that is long, varied, and musical. He sings for many months, from earliest spring till late summer.

The song sparrow has fallen silent now, confirming that he is all done with nesting this year. Most of his companions will go south for the winter. A few song sparrows do stay in Iowa for the whole year. Most winters, one or two visit the stone path under my bird feeders every day, sharing the spilled grain with dark-eyed juncos and cardinals. I hope one will stay around this year.

And next March and April, I'll be listening for the first rollicking notes that begin something like Maids! Maids! Put on your teakettle-ettle-ettle!

You may be able to hear one of this particular song sparrow's songs, along with the songs of other birds one morning at Birdwatching Dot Com, by clicking the sound file below. It may take a little while to download. If you only hear a few moments and then it stops, just give it a little time and try again.