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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

I Know That Sound!

There are few birds (other than typical backyard birds) that I'm able to ID by sound. I'm not sure why, but I'm just horrid at remembering and recognizing bird calls. My bird friends are as stymied as I am as to why I simply cannot remember what redstarts sound like from year to year. Or Nashville Warblers, which sing like crazy here in the spring.

But this LBB is one that I can actually locate based on hearing its call as I drive by: The Clay-colored Sparrow.


It's sharp, buzzy call is, to me, highly distinctive and seems to carry quite far. Have a listen.

Clay-colored Sparrows are somewhat unique in that they're a mid-continent bird. Found on their breeding territory in open grasslands throughout the northern regions of central North America , they follow almost a due south migration path that funnels to Texas and Mexico. Here's a great distribution map.

Right now they're dotting the fence posts and clinging to barbed wire along a stretch of roadway I drive daily.


I have to admit that when I'm driving past the wild grassland fields by my house and hear their "bzzzzt" calls I gleefully think to myself "aha! I know that bird call." (simple pleasures, people... simple pleasures...)   ;-)

Be sure to check out all the other fun birding sights and stories courtesy of Wild Bird Wednesday!



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21 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    A little beauty!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  2. grammie gAugust 21, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    Hi ... First of thanks for your comment on my post!!
    I just love the face on the first one , how cute is that!!
    Thanks for introducing me to the Clay Sparrow!!
    We don't have the Clay, but have many other Sparrow's and some of them I do have a problem with to ID, otherwise I do pretty good with knowing the bird songs!!
    The Chipping Sparrow is my very favorite, and are around the house constantly so tiny with such a long drawn out trilling song!!

    Thanks Again
    Grace

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  3. Phil SladeAugust 21, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    Brilliant pictures. Having listened to their call via the link, I can see why anyone would quickly learn what a Clay-coloured Sparrow sounds like.

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  4. TexWisGirlAugust 21, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    they're truly beautiful! i'd have surely associated that sound with an insect - whether some form of cricket, locust, or cicada, though!

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  5. mickAugust 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    Great photos of the special sparrow on the fence post.

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  6. Brian KingAugust 21, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    Fantastic shots! The barbed wire and background are awesome! These little guys really stand out.

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  7. NeilAugust 21, 2013 at 5:06 PM

    Beautiful photos of the sparrow.

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  8. eileeninmdAugust 21, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    It is a beautiful sparrow! Lovely shots. It would be a new bird for me!

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  9. MariaAugust 21, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    I love the feather pattern Tammi. What a gift to be able to identify all the Sparrows that all sort of look alike!!!

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  10. betty-NZAugust 21, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    Such a cute little thing! I am beginning to identify bird sounds, too. It's quite amazing.

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  11. UnknownAugust 22, 2013 at 2:45 AM

    Lovely shots of this pretty little bird.

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  12. Esther JoyAugust 22, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    Recognizing birds by their sounds is a tricky thing for me. I'm reading a book called "The Singing Life of Birds" by Donald Kroodsma that tells how, when, why, and where they sing.

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  13. Sharon WagnerAugust 23, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Nice crisp shots. My favorite bird sound memory is a Violin bird in Costa Rica. They sound like one.

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  14. Mia McPhersonAugust 23, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    Wonderful images and birds Tami!

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  15. Kenneth Cole SchneiderAugust 23, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    That Clay-colored is a nice find! I never see them when I set out to find one-- they just pop up unexpectedly. i still have never hear their song.

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  16. Stewart MAugust 24, 2013 at 4:28 AM

    Nice looking bird! One of the problems I have in Australia, is that some birds her sound like ones back in the UK - and the UK ones were common, so I have had to relearn to listen for them!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M

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    Replies
    1. CabinGirlAugust 28, 2013 at 10:27 PM

      pffft. I can't memorize the ones in my state, let alone my country - let alone TWO countries! You have a keen ear/brain relationship, Stewart!

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  17. Julie G.August 25, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    Such a pretty little sparrow and so beautifully photographed! I know they migrate through our area but I have yet to see one. I too am bird song challenged.

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    1. CabinGirlAugust 28, 2013 at 10:26 PM

      Thanks, Julie. You're going to be walking through Lincoln Park some day and hear this "bzzzzt bzzzt" and you'll know exactly what it is. :-)

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  18. UnknownAugust 25, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Every bird you know by call is a friend for life! Sweet shots!

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    Replies
    1. CabinGirlAugust 28, 2013 at 10:25 PM

      What a great saying, Cindy! I'm going to remember that :-)

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