It has been a long cold spring here in Sioux Falls. I've heard this familiar call the last couple of mornings. I don't recall ever hearing this at home before. However, it reminded me of up north. I had no idea the name of the bird. I was able to piece it together. From what I read, Sioux Falls is pass through country for this bird.

I can now identify exactly two bird calls in the BWCA, this one and the common loon.

What should I add to my list?

White-Throated Sparrow Call

One of my favorite bird calls, for sure. I like to hear the swans trumpeting, eagles chattering, and the grouse beating their wings. Yep, the call of the loon is tops on my list too.

Hope to be in the woods soon!

I’d add Chickadee, wood thrush, and nut hatch.

I always liked the Barred Owl.
"Who cooks for You, who cooks for you all"

I love the song of the White Throated Sparrow. They pass through my neighborhood in Eagan, Minnesota for a few short weeks on their Spring migration. I always cherish their short stay. I also look forward to hearing them on my Northern wilderness trips.

"Oh-sweet-canada-canada"

White-throated sparrow, winter wren, and black-throated green warbler are 3 great reasons to go to the boundary waters in June despite the bugs. Not to mention the wildflowers.

You must familiarize yourself with the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush. Such a lovely but somewhat psychedelic melody that is common in the BWCAW.

Swainson's Thrush

The migration is intense this year near Duluth. The woods are full of birds of all types. The sweet tune of the warblers is back again.

TomP: "It has been a long cold spring here in Sioux Falls. I've heard this familiar call the last couple of mornings. I don't recall ever hearing this at home before. However, it reminded me of up north. I had no idea the name of the bird. I was able to piece it together. From what I read, Sioux Falls is pass through country for this bird.

I can now identify exactly two bird calls in the BWCA, this one and the common loon.

What should I add to my list?

White-Throated Sparrow Call

"

You know? I have experienced the same here in southern Minnesota (Le Sueur County). I have never associated this call with this area, but currently have them around and it make me long for the BWCA. As an avid bird watcher, I could not identify this call with the white throated sparrow. I can only hope they stick around.

Thanks!

JW

They are passing through Chicago right now.
Spring !

HangLoose: "You must familiarize yourself with the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush. Such a lovely but somewhat psychedelic melody that is common in the BWCAW.


Swainson's Thrush "

Thanks for posting this. For years I have wondered what bird made this.

Anyone ever notice that the White-throated Sparrow calls usually after a storm / inclement weather signalling good weather?? Maybe all birds do this but I clearly have patterned this sound after many storms in the BW and hearing this sound is re-assuring that good weather is near. Usually right after a rain event when the sun us starting to peak out.......

For all things avian, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my go-to resource:

Sounds & Songs

Another helpful resource: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union

Their daily planner, published each year, makes a great partner to your trip-planning MOU Daily Planner

gravelroad: "For all things avian, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my go-to resource:


Sounds & Songs "

+1 - they have a sale right now for their warbler ID class

I've noticed that sometimes the White Throated Sparrow song varies a bit. The notes of "Oh-sweet-Canada-Canada-Canada" are sometimes LOW-HIGH-HIGH-HIGH and other times HIGH-LOW-LOW-LOW. Maybe it is just their mood at that time. Maybe it means something more to them. Always music to my ears.

jillpine: "

gravelroad: "For all things avian, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my go-to resource:



Sounds & Songs "

+1 - they have a sale right now for their warbler ID class"

My wife took it a few years back. It came in very handy on the day she was able to ID a couple dozen warbler species during a fallout at Park Point.

gravelroad: "For all things avian, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my go-to resource:


Sounds & Songs "

Totally agree!! Great post, gravel.

HangLoose: "You must familiarize yourself with the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush. Such a lovely but somewhat psychedelic melody that is common in the BWCAW.


Swainson's Thrush "

Thrush is my favorite too, I always thought I was hearing a Hermit Thrush. Are they both in the region or only the Swainson’s?

When they are in numbers and the forest is calm and just waking up, the music can bend your brain.

NOTHING sends me to the northwoods, regardless of where I am, more than the white-throated sparrow. The video was beautiful! It looked just like a white throated sparrow my wife and I watched on top of a perch on Winchell Lake years ago. I like how the bird proudly tips its head back before it sings that wonderful song. I love driving up to the entry point on the morning we pull in and hearing the white throated sparrow and chickadees in the woods. I consider it a welcome.

Mike

When I took Ornithology in college we had to learn 100 bird calls so we studied tapes. Most of the calls had words to describe them. The white throated Sparrow was Old Tom Peabody peabody. Or something like that.

They're still hanging around us in the center of eastern Iowa too. Usually we get a week with them in the spring and fall but we've had them since early April! This cold spring has been great for seeing the migratory birds.

Not to be outdone but we added a Harris's Sparrow to our backyard bird list last fall. That little bird came down from the NW Territories of northern Canada!!

fadersup: "

HangLoose: "You must familiarize yourself with the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush. Such a lovely but somewhat psychedelic melody that is common in the BWCAW.



Swainson's Thrush "

Thrush is my favorite too, I always thought I was hearing a Hermit Thrush. Are they both in the region or only the Swainson’s?

When they are in numbers and the forest is calm and just waking up, the music can bend your brain."

The Hermit and Swainson's territories overlap and both include the BWCAW. For many years I thought I was hearing a Hermit Thrush too. Then I compared the audio of both of their songs. The Swainson's Thrush song is just a bit longer and a bit more mind bending than the Hermit. The Swainson's definitely sounds more psychedelic to me.

fadersup: "

HangLoose: "You must familiarize yourself with the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush. Such a lovely but somewhat psychedelic melody that is common in the BWCAW.



Swainson's Thrush "

Thrush is my favorite too, I always thought I was hearing a Hermit Thrush. Are they both in the region or only the Swainson’s?

When they are in numbers and the forest is calm and just waking up, the music can bend your brain."

I think it's a hermit thrush too. It's more psychedelic than a Swainson.

HangLoose: "I've noticed that sometimes the White Throated Sparrow song varies a bit. The notes of "Oh-sweet-Canada-Canada-Canada" are sometimes LOW-HIGH-HIGH-HIGH and other times HIGH-LOW-LOW-LOW. Maybe it is just their mood at that time. Maybe it means something more to them. Always music to my ears.
"

I've wondered that too. Is it a call and reply?

If you don't want to be kept up all night, don't camp in Whip-poor-will country.

Argo: "If you don't want to be kept up all night, don't camp in Whip-poor-will country. "

OMG!! I couldn't figure out who's car alarm was going off in the middle of the wilderness. Yeah ... I haven't quite learned to appreciate the call of the Whip-poor-will. Not sure I ever will. No pun intended.

TomP: "What should I add to my list?"

Osprey.
Bald Eagle.
Kingfisher.

Tom P - I was really sure I heard it in Vermillion, SD the last few days! Wow, guess I am not alone in this.

Funny story--

Over Memorial Day Weekend in 2020, my wife and I were staying at Cascade Lodge,
on the north shore of Lake Superior just south of Grand Marais. The white throated sparrow let out its song and she asked, "What kind of a bird is THAT?" When I quickly replied that it it was a white throated sparrow, she doubted me saying, "I don't think so. I think you just pulled that out of your a$$!" (after all these years, she does know me pretty well)

Later on, when we were just sitting on the porch of our cabin enjoying the evening, I pulled a video similar to the one in this thread up on my phone to prove to her that I was (for once!) telling the truth. As soon as I played the video, there was a response from the tree above us with a similar song. I played the video again and again came a response from the tree. This went on back and forth for almost five minutes!

bottomtothetap: "Funny story--


Over Memorial Day Weekend in 2020, my wife and I were staying at Cascade Lodge,
on the north shore of Lake Superior just south of Grand Marais. The white throated sparrow let out its song and she asked, "What kind of a bird is THAT?" When I quickly replied that it it was a white throated sparrow, she doubted me saying, "I don't think so. I think you just pulled that out of your a$$!" (after all these years, she does know me pretty well)


Later on, when we were just sitting on the porch of our cabin enjoying the evening, I pulled a video similar to the one in this thread up on my phone to prove to her that I was (for once!) telling the truth. As soon as I played the video, there was a response from the tree above us with a similar song. I played the video again and again came a response from the tree. This went on back and forth for almost five minutes! "

Very cool story!

Mike

MikeinMpls: "NOTHING sends me to the northwoods, regardless of where I am, more than the white-throated sparrow. I love driving up to the entry point on the morning we pull in and hearing the white throated sparrow and chickadees in the woods. I consider it a welcome.


Mike"

Agree, Mike...and may we be welcomed soon!

Mike5914: "Tom P - I was really sure I heard it in Vermillion, SD the last few days! Wow, guess I am not alone in this."

Go Yotes!!!

I heard the call yesterday on 5/6. With the warm up this weekend, I expect them to go north soon. I wonder if they simply move straight north from SD or if they eventually turn east to the north woods and canoe country.

Go Yotes for sure, I work there :)

I heard it again yesterday afternoon for a good 30 minutes, right across the street from my house in a wooded area. Even got a video - cant see the bird, but you can hear it.

TomP: "

Mike5914: "Tom P - I was really sure I heard it in Vermillion, SD the last few days! Wow, guess I am not alone in this."

Go Yotes!!!


I heard the call yesterday on 5/6. With the warm up this weekend, I expect them to go north soon. I wonder if they simply move straight north from SD or if they eventually turn east to the north woods and canoe country."