Bird Song
In this series of blogs, James Duncan explores the wonderful world of bird song (with calls thrown in for good measure!) There's surely little more calming to human ears than the annual serenade of spring song. Each day, prior to the sun's appearance above the horizon, birds begin to advertise their presence, demonstrating their strength and ability in song. This serves not only to attract a mate but also to deter rivals.
Take a moment to notice the birds who break the morning silence, the Robin, the Blackbird and perhaps the Song Thrush. Enjoy the chorus as it widens, as Wren, Starling, Chaffinch and Dunnock join in. The complexities of bird song may not be easy to get to grips with, but why not take the time to learn. The satisfaction to be gained from identifying birds by song (and calls) really can't be overemphasised - it's truly a window into another world.
Lost voices: uncovering female birdsong
Historically, it was thought that only male songbirds sang. However, research conducted in the last ten years has proved this theory wrong.
Nightingale - Bird Song
The glorious Nightingale has a reputation for song like no other. There are probably very few species with a more prodigious claim to world’s greatest songster
The glorious Nightingale has a reputation for song like no other. There are probably very few species with a more prodigious claim to world’s greatest songster
Goldfinch - Bird Song
The magnificent Goldfinch is a delicate, richly-coloured bird and one of our most enchanting garden inhabitants
The magnificent Goldfinch is a delicate, richly-coloured bird and one of our most enchanting garden inhabitants
Greenfinch - Bird Song
The Greenfinch is an exceedingly attractive and familiar bird species, but sadly it’s in serious decline
The Greenfinch is an exceedingly attractive and familiar bird species, but sadly it’s in serious decline
Song Thrush - Bird Song
The Song Thrush is the most familiar member of its family to have ‘Thrush’ in the name. They’re one of just a few birds comprehensively defined by their song
The Song Thrush is the most familiar member of its family to have ‘Thrush’ in the name. They’re one of just a few birds comprehensively defined by their song
Blackcap - Bird Song
The Blackcap is a distinctive member of the ‘Old World’ warblers and is regarded as one of the finest songsters within its extended family
The Blackcap is a distinctive member of the ‘Old World’ warblers and is regarded as one of the finest songsters within its extended family
Deciphering the dawn chorus
Wildlife expert Nick Acheson introduces some of our feathered superstars to listen out for this spring.
Wildlife expert Nick Acheson introduces some of our feathered superstars to listen out for this spring.
Dunnock - Bird Song
The Dunnock is an overwhelmingly inconspicuous bird that in fact very much belies its meek and modest nature
The Dunnock is an overwhelmingly inconspicuous bird that in fact very much belies its meek and modest nature
Blackbird - Bird Song
The Blackbird is perhaps more familiar to us than any other bird, surely the species we associate most closely with our gardens
The Blackbird is perhaps more familiar to us than any other bird, surely the species we associate most closely with our gardens
Wren - Bird Song
The Wren is a tiny little bird, but it packs a voice with huge punch
The Wren is a tiny little bird, but it packs a voice with huge punch
Robin - Bird Song
We may love the Robin, but there’s something about them that belies their general demeanour - they’re viciously territorial.
We may love the Robin, but there’s something about them that belies their general demeanour - they’re viciously territorial.
