Stay updated with breaking news from Song Sleuth. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Whether it’s the high-pitched squawk of a dramatically gray, black and white Clark’s nutcracker at Mammoth Lakes, Calif., or the fairy tale music of a Swainson’s thrush singing from your garden bird feeder, these sounds are as varied as human voices — and there’s a charm to studying them on your own, using your smartphone or more complicated recording equipment.
If you were old enough to buy CDs in the ’90s, you might remember listening stations at superstores that featured music by some of nature’s noisiest creatures: birds. These CDs blended classical music like Brahms’ lullaby with the plaintive call of a loon, or smooth jazz coupled with the howls of wolves (“Jazz Wolf,” anyone? It was a 1993 classic). Sometimes the composers even threw in a frog ribbit or cricket chirp.
If you're planning to take part in the four-day, global Great Backyard Bird Count this month (Feb. 17-20), or if you just love birds, there's plenty of gear and goods to help you enjoy them.
If you're planning to take part in the four-day Great Backyard Bird Count this month (Feb. 17-20), or if you just love birds, there's...
If you're planning to take part in the four-day, global Great Backyard Bird Count this month (Feb. 17-20), or if you just love birds, there's plenty of gear and goods to help you enjoy them.