April 5, 2014 / Leslie

Weekend Birding: The Sounds of Spring

American Robin, Birds, Canada Goose, Nature, Photographs, Photos, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird

Winter is a quiet time. No birdsong and barely a chirp out of most species. With the arrival of spring and the upcoming mating season, there is a change in the air. Around the time of the vernal equinox, the start of longer days than nights, birds begin to sing. Some species begin singing a few weeks earlier. In my (unscientific) observations, some singing appears to be triggered by the number of daylight hours from dawn to dusk rather than sunrise to sunset.

Why do birds sing?

Birds sing to attract and impress a mate and to claim territory. In some species females judge mates by the quality of the song, in others the loud and persistent singers will attract the females.

Red-winged Blackbird

Some songs are loud and repetitive like the male Red-winged Blackbird. He will spend the entire breeding season fiercely and loudly defending his territory and mates. When I walked past the marsh earlier this week, the Red-winged Blackbirds were the first birds I heard and this one was only too happy to display his gorgeous red feathers while calling out his song.

The Northern Cardinal has been cheerfully singing for a few weeks as has the Song Sparrow, but this past week I began to hear the delightful song of the American Robin, the definitive indicator of spring for many of us in North America. Robins have finally broken up their winter flocks and are claiming nesting territory in backyards, parks and woodlands.

American Robin

Robins are very approachable, don’t mind people and are usually happy to pose for a photo. I saw many singing robins but instead chose to photograph this shy bird that ran off into the brush when he or she saw me. From the pale coloring, this is probably a female or a first-year male. Adult males are more brightly colored and have a glossy black head and back.

Not all birds sing

Woodpeckers drum on trees to produce their song, choosing a dry or hollow branch that will produce a loud sound. This declares their territory and females of the same species will recognize and be attracted to their “song”. Both males and females also have a loud call and various sounds for communication, but the drumming is the equivalent of singing during mating season.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

This male Red-bellied was not only drumming loudly but also beginning work on a nest cavity. I hope he wasn’t too disappointed that his drumming attracted me rather than a female woodpecker.

Canada Goose

The geese weren’t making much noise but several pairs were walking or swimming along the river, presumably searching for a good place to start their nest. They mate for life so don’t have to go through the business of attracting a new mate every spring. The female selects the site, builds the nest and does all the incubation. The male’s job is to guard her and the nest. My job was to watch where I was stepping!

Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. It is now hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.