Song

I accompanied Jeff on an Audbon Christmas bird count. We walked along the edge of a golf course. I followed Jeff as his assistant noting identifications and numbers. Jeff often stopped to listen. He’d use a hand signal to say stop. We stood still and quiet and heard a slight “tshink, tshink” from a shrub. “Two song sparrows” he said. We rarely saw the bird, but twenty years later, I still remember that call. It takes me back to that cold, windy early morning bird watching.

A bird call is different from its song. Male song birds sing when they establish territory and try to attract a female.  The call is much more sedate. It connects and warns. No need to sing in winter.

On the deck of a friend for lunch I heard its’ song and saw the male perched on the tippy top of a tree. It threw back its’ head and broadcast its music as far as possible. The Latin species name is Melodius, which means singer. It’s a stuttering, clattering song and is two parted. Henry Thoreau described it this way: “maids, maids, maids, hang up your teakettle-ettle-ettle.” The song has rhythm and rhyme. To hear it is charming. To describe it better than Thoreau – impossible..

Sparrows are seed and insect eaters. The song sparrow has dark streaks along sides and breast. Both male and female have a black spot on the breast. These markings help the female blend in when nesting. The female makes a nest on the ground under a hummock of grass. She finds dry grass and animal hair to shape a perfect two inch circular hole. It takes about twelve days for the eggs to hatch.

My friend said he’s seen this same bird in his yard for the past five years.“When I sit outdoors, it will come within a few feet of me.” My friend fills feeders and they come.

Working in my garden in the morning, I am often blessed by its song. I have to thank the song sparrow for making garden work  such a  joy. I designate the song sparrow as the official ambassador of sparrows.