SOUTH BAY BIRDERS UNLIMITED

 

Mnemonic Bird Songs for PalmIII

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MNEMONIC BIRD SONGS 

Acadian Flycatcher
peet-seet or peet-suh or peet
.
Alder Flycatcher
fitz-bee-
.
American Avocet
wheek or kleet 
(repeated in flight)
.
American Bittern
gulp-a-pump
woonk-a-chunk
.
American Black Duck
quack quack quack.
(lower than a Mallard)
.
American Black Oystercatcher
wheep-wheep-wheep 
(rapid; clipped)
.
American Coot
ka-ha; ka-ha
kuh-uk!; kuh-uk! (loud; clear)
.
American Crow
caw-caw-caw-caw-
koodle-yah; koodle-yah 
(trilly voice)
.
American Golden Plover
looo-eee!
poo-too-eee!; poo-too-eee!
.
American Goldfinch
pa-chip-chip-chip
per-chick-a-ree
po-ta-to-chip (and dip {in flight})
.
American Kestrel
klee; klee; klee
.
American Pipit
chwee; chwee; chwee (thin)
pipit-pipit
.
American Redstart
tzee-tzee-tzee-tzeeeo
.
American Robin
cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o
whinny
.
American Wigeon
squeaky; nasal whistle
.
American Woodcock
peeent; peeent; peeent (nasal)
.
Anna's Hummingbird
chee-ik-ee-ik-ee-ik (grating; squeaky)
.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
ka-brick
ka-wheer
prrrrrt (buzzy)
.
Bachman's Sparrow
highly variable - clear; liquid; 
whistled phrases
.
Bachman's Sparrow
seeeee; slip-slip-slip-slip-slip
.
Baltimore Oriole
flute-like; disjointed series of notes
here; here; come right here; dear
.
Barn Owl
screeeeeee (hissing - long)
.
Barn Swallow
twittering (rapid)
tit-tit-tit-tit (rapid staccato)
.
Barred Owl
who-cooks-for-you; 
who-cooks-for-you-all
.
Bay-breasted Warbler
tee-zee-tee-zee-tee-zee-tee 
(very rapid; hp)
.
Belted Kingfisher
stuttering; non-musical;
dry rattle in-flight
.
Bewick's Wren
like Song Sparrow;
but thinner; more rapid
.
Black & White Warbler
wee-zee; wee-zee; wee-zee
(like a squeaky toy)
.
Black Rail
kicky-chew
kiki-krrr
pee-pee-toe
.
Black Skimmer
kaup; kaup; kaup (clear-noted)
.
Black-bellied Plover
pee-a-wee!
whee-er-wee!
.
Black-billed Cuckoo
ku-ku-ku
.
Black-billed Magpie
maaagh?!
wenk-wenk or wenk-wenk-wenk
.
Blackburnian Warbler
see-say
teetsa-teetsa-teetsa-  zee-zee-zee
.
Black-capped Chickadee
chk-a-dee-dee-dee 
(rapid; higher-pitched than Carolina)
.
Black-capped Chickadee
fee-bee
.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
tchew (soft; flat)
.
Black-crowned Night Heron
quawlk
.
Black-headed Grosbeak
ik (sharply)
robin-like; but more musical
spik
.
Black-legged Kittiwake
kitty-waaak
.
Black-necked Stilt
kyip; kyip; kyip
.
Blackpoll Warbler
chipping trill
.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
beer-beer-beer-beeee! (raspy)
zur-zur-zur-zree!
please; please; please squeeeeze
I am so laz-eeeeee
.
Black-throated Gray Warbler
zeedle-zeedle-zee-zeet-cha
.
Black-throated Green Warbler
trees-trees-murmuring-trees
zee-zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee
.
Black-whiskered Vireo
Tim Kelly or Whip Tim Kelly
.
Blue Grosbeak
chink
house finch-like; but lower
.
Blue Jay
fee-der-de-lurp
jay-jay-jay
queedle-queedle-queedle-
.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
zpeee (a bit raspy)
.
Blue-winged Warbler
beee-bzzz
blue winged! 
(second syllable buzzy)
.
Bobolink
plink; plink
.
Bobwhite
toot-sweet!
bob-white!
.
Bonaparte's Gull
chrrr-chrrr-chrrr (rapid; buzzy)
.
Boreal Chickadee
chick-che-day-day
.
Boreal Owl
hooo-too-too-too-too...
.
Brewer's Blackbird
ksh-eee (creaky)
.
Brewer's Sparrow
seeeep (thin)
.
Bristle-thighed Curlew
cheew-iew-iew-it
.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
chittering; thin, mixed with wing-hum
.
Broad-winged Hawk
peet-seeeeep
.
Brown Creeper
trill (hp; rapid) always as individuals
.
Brown Thrasher
varied mocker-like phrases 
(repeated 2x)
drop-it; drop-it; cover-it-up; 
cover-it-up; pull-it-up; pull-it-up
.
Brown-headed Cowbird
bubble-bubble-zeeee! 
.
Brown-headed Nuthatch
kit-kit-kit-..or ki-dit; ki-dit..(rapid)
.
Bufflehead (Fe)
quack quack quack
.
Bullock's Oriole
varied; rich whistles 
and mixed gutturals
chuck chuck chuck-
it-too-ee zhew zhew
.
Bushtit
lisp (multiple; very hp)
tsit (multiple; very hp)
.
California Quail
kurr
chi-ca-go; chi-ca-go 
qua-quer-go; qua-quer-go
.
Canada Goose
honk; honk; honk
.
Canada Warbler
chip-chupitty-swee-ditchety
.
Canyon Wren
tewee; tewee; tewee (slowing)
tsheee (raspy; metallic)
.
Cape May Warbler
seet-seet-seet-seet (thin; hp)
.
Carolina Chickadee
car-o-li-na (four notes)
chk-a-dee-dee-dee
fee-bee-fee-bay
see-dee-dee-dee
.
Carolina Wren
brrrrrrr (a brief; downslurred; rapid trill
like thumbing comb tines)
chooble-dee (varied triplet phrases)
tea-kettle; tea-kettle; tea-kettle
.
Caspian Tern
raaaah (raspy; hoarse)
.
Cassin's Finch
chitty-up or chill-ee-up
.
Cedar Waxwing
trill (hp; rapid) always in flocks
zeee-zeee-zeee (hp trilled)
.
Cerulean Warbler
chyoo-chyoo-chyoo-tseee 
(last syllable burry)
trill (ending with buzzy-) beeee
.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
pleased-pleased-pleased-
pleased-ta-meetcha
see-see-see-Miss-Beech'er
.
Chimney Swift
chit-chit-chit-chit (rapid staccato)
twittering (rapid)
.
Chipping Sparrow
chipping trill (mechanical)
.
Chuck Will's Widow
chuck-will's-widow
.
Clapper Rail
tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-.
.
Clark's Grebe
kreeet (burry)
kriiik (burry)
.
Clark's Nutcracker
kraa-a-a-a (long; drawn-out); 
or kra-kra-kra-kra
.
Common Eider
ow-oo-urr
whoo-ooh; whoo-ooh
.
Common Goldeneye
pee-ik (raspy)
.
Common Loon
cooo-leee; cooo-leee 
(slow; plaintive)
whinny
.
Common Merganser
ah; ah; ah; ah 
(low; even croaking in flight)
.
Common Moorhen
kip-kip-kip-
.
Common Nighthawk
beeer
pee-eet (nasal)
.
Common Poorwill
poor-will; poor-will; poor-will
.
Common Raven
cruck (harsh; raspy)
tawk (metallic)
.
Common Ringed Plover
poo-eep (in-flight)
.
Common Screech Owl
woooooooo warbled
.
Common Snipe
skaip
wicka-wicka-wicka-
.
Common Tern
kee-arr (trilly)
.
Common Yellowthroat
witchety-witchety-witchety (slow)
(western race)
tchep (flat and raspy)
.
Connecticut Warbler
chee-pa-chuh; chee-pa-chuh; 
chee-pa-chuh; chee
chik-a-too-ee; chik-a-too-ee
.
Cordilleran Flycatcher
pseet; tri-i-i-ip; seet (thin; squeaky)
.
Dark-eyed Junco
dit (repeated occasionally)
smack (repeated occasionally)
chipping trill (musical; tinkling)
.
Downy Woodpecker
peeek (sharply)
whinny
.
Eastern Bluebird
pew or mew (sharply)
chatter (harsh; brief)
.
Eastern Kingbird
t-t-tseeep (electrical sputtering)
.
Eastern Meadowlark
but-I-DO-love-you
eas-tern mead-ow-lark (musical)
spring-of-the-year
.
Eastern Phoebe
fee-beee (last syllable raspy)
.
Eastern Towhee
too-wheee!
drink-your-teeeee!
hot dog; pickle-ickle-ickle
.
Eastern Wood Pewee
pee-a-weee and pee-yer
.
Evening Grosbeak
chirp or chiirrrp (burry)
.
Field Sparrow
a ping-pong ball dropped onto a table
increasing in rate and pitch
.
Fish Crow
eh-eh; eh-eh (two-noted phrases)
.
Forster's Tern
keeeeeeeeer
zaaaah (raspy; nasal)
.
Gadwall (Ma)
bek (buzzy) 
(Fe quacks like mallard)
.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
see-see-see- (hp)
.
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Oh; dear me!
three blind mice
.
Golden-winged Warbler
beeee(buzzy trill)-bz-bz-bz
.
Grasshopper Sparrow
pee-trip-treee (last syllable a raspy trill)
.
Gray Catbird
meeeee-ew or maaaaaanh (nasal)
varied mocker-like phrases (seldom repeated)
.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
whee-wheeo-titi-whee (thin; nasal)
.
Great Blue Heron
squawking or croaking (very raucous)
.
Great Gray Owl
whoo-whoo-whoooo
.
Great Horned Owl
hoot-a-hoot; hoo-hoo
who's awake? me too
.
Great Kiskadee
Qu'est-ce qu'il dit? Qu'est-ce qu'il dit?
("What's he saying?")
.
Great-crested Flycatcher
prrreeeet (burry)
wheeep
.
Greater Yellowlegs
dear; dear; dear (sharply)
klee-klee-klee
tu-tu-tu (whistled, 3 or more notes)
.
Green Heron
skelp skelp skelp
.
Green-tailed Towhee
weet-churrr-chee-churrr
(mixed sweet and burry notes)
.
Gull-billed Tern
kay-week and za-za-za
.
Hairy Woodpecker
pik (flat)
whinny
.
Hammond's Flycatcher
chip-chewy or chip-chewy-chew
(hp and a bit burry)
.
Heerman's Gull
kowok
.
Henslow's Sparrow
tsip-a-tik (non-musical; 
repeated occasionally)
.
Hermit Thrush
veer-veer-veer-veer-
Why don'tcha come to me? 
Here I am right near you
.
Hooded Warbler
a-weeta-weeta-weet-tee-o
.
Horned Lark
pit-sit (hp)
tee-seep (hp)
.
House Finch
zreee! (included in varied; 
warbling song)
.
House Sparrow
chiddik; chiddik (dry; non-musical)
.
House Wren
stuttering; gurgling; musical; 
.
Inca Dove
no hope
.
Indigo Bunting
varied phrases (in couplets)
fire; fire; where? where? 
here; here; see it? see it?
.
Kentucky Warbler
p'chee; p'chee; p'chee
.
Kildeer
kill-deeeeer or kee-dee; 
kee-dee; kee-dee
.
King Rail
hip-hip-hurrah (dry; rattly)
.
Lark Sparrow
tsip (sharp)
.
Laughing Gull
haa-haa-haa-haa 
(loud; laugh-like)
laughter (raucous; clear-noted)
.
Lazuli Bunting
zzzzzzd (buzzy)
.
Least Bittern
wuff; wuff; wuff; wuff; wuff
ku-ku-ku
(lower and throatier than B-B Cuckoo)
.
Least Flycatcher
che-bek
.
Least Sandpiper
kreeet (thin; somewhat burry)
.
Least Tern
zreeeeek
.
Lesser Goldfinch
tee-yee! or tee-yer
.
Lesser Yellowlegs
quu-quu (whistled - in pairs)
tyooo-tyoo
yoo-yoo; yoo-yoo-yoo
.
Limpkin
kraaaaaah (loud; piercing; 
usually repeated)
.
Long-billed Curlew
ker-lee
.
Long-billed Dowitcher
keeeeek (in flight - 
may be repeated)
.
Louisiana Waterthrush
chink
tree; tree; tree terwitter-witter wit
.
MacGillivray's Warbler
chiddle-chiddle-chiddle-turtle
chip-chewy or chip-chewy-chew 
(hp; clearer than Hammond's Flyc.)
tsik (low; sharp)
.
Magnolia Warbler
weeta-weeta-weetsee
weeta-weeta-wit-chew
I'm-I'm-I'm-so-sweet
one; two; three; four; six
.
Mallard
quack quack quack
.
Marbled Godwit
god-wit or ker-whit
raddika; raddika; raddika
.
Marsh Wren
varied; complicated; 
fast; bubbly and busy
.
Mountain Chickadee
tsik-a-zee-zee-zee 
(raspier than Carolina)
.
Mourning Dove
hooo-ah hoo-hoo-hoo
chirry-chirry-chirry-choreeo
.
Mourning Warbler
turdle; turdle; turdle; two-to-you
.
Nashville Warbler
trill in two parts - 
2nd faster and lower in pitch
see-bit-see-bit-see-bit; 
see-see-see-see (2-pt.)
.
Northern Cardinal
cheer-cheer-cheer-
purty-purty-purty-
.
Northern Flicker
kleeeyer
wik-wik-wik
Northern Flicker (courting)
squeechu-squeechu-squeechu
.
Northern Mockingbird
varied phrases 
(thrice or more repeated)
.
Northern Parula Warbler
trill! (fast rising; ending with)-tsyoo
zeeeeeeeeeeeeeee(buzzy)-chyoo
.
Northern Pintail (Ma)
prrrip; prrrip (low; stuttery)
.
Northern Pygmy Owl
too-too-too (clear notes)
.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
too-too-too (clear notes)
.
Northern Shoveler (Ma)
chik-chik; chik-chik
(Fe quacks like mallard)
.
Northern Waterthrush
twit-twit-twit; sweet-sweet-sweet; 
chew-chew-chew
.
Oldsquaw
ow-ow-ow-a-la
.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
pip-pip or pip-pip-pip
quick; three-beers
.
Orange-crowned Warbler
trill (ascending/accelerating; 
then tumbles at end)
.
Orchard Oriole
warbling - varied phrases; 
incl. guttural notes
.
Osprey
kyew; kyew; kyew; kyew; kyew
.
Ovenbird
p'cheer - p'cheer - p'cheer
t-cheer; t-cheer; t-cheer
.
Pacific Loon
kwa-wee!
.
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
see-a-weeeet!
seeet (sharp; h.p)
.
Palm Warbler
trill (weak and buzzy)
.
Pectoral Sandpiper
krick (low-voiced)
.
Pied-Billed Grebe
gulp; gulp; gulp
kuk-kuk-kow-kow-kow-kowp-kowp
.
Pileated Woodpecker
kik-kik-kik-kik-kik
(rate & pitch rise then fall)
.
Pine Siskin
zreeeeeee! (buzzy)
.
Pine Warbler
chipping trill
.
Piping Plover
pip-pip-pip
.
Plain Titmouse
tsik-a-dee
.
Prairie Warbler
zee-zee-zee-zee 
(steady rise in pitch)
.
Prothonotary Warbler
zweet; zweet; zweet
(single pitch)
.
Purple Finch
warbling - varied phrases; 
fast; lively; brief
.
Pygmy Nuthatch
pippit; pippit; pippit 
.
Raven
squawking (raucous)
.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
churrr; churrr 
(throaty; deeply trilled)
.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
ank-ank-ank 
(nasal monotone)
.
Red-eyed Vireo
where are you? 
and here I am
.
Red-headed Woodpecker
squeer; squeer (raspy)
.
Red-shouldered Hawk
kee-yer; kee-yer; kee-yer.
.
Red-tailed Hawk
keeeeeeeeer
.
Red-throated Loon
kwuk
.
Red-winged Blackbird
chortle-deeeeee 
(hp and drawn-out last syllable)
conk-a-reeeeeeeee
tseer; tseer
.
Ring-necked Pheasant
kok-kok (squawky; raucous; 
followed by wing-whir)
.
Rock Wren
ch-reee; ch-reee; ch-reee 
(a bit trilly-buzzy)
chee-urr; chee-urr; chee-urr 
(a bit raspy)
tik-eer
.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o
chink
.
Royal Tern
keeer (trilled)
.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
ji-dit; ji-dit; ji-dit (rattly)
too-fritchyoo-fritchyoo-fritchyoo-
.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
t-t-t-t-t-t-t  (soft; rapid; excited)
.
Ruffed Grouse
drumming-thumping; 
accelerates into a whir
.
Rufous Hummingbird
zee-chuppity-chuppity (buzzy)
.
Rusty Blackbird
check
ksh-a-leeee (rusty-squeaky)
.
Sanderling
plik-plik-plik 
.
Sandhill Crane
garoo-a-a-a (stuttery)
.
Savannah Sparrow
zit-zit-zit-zeeee-zaaay 
(burry-raspy)
.
Say's Phoebe
pi-weer or pee-eee!
.
Scaled Quail
Paark! Pe-cos; Pe-cos; Pe-cos
.
Scarlet Tanager
cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o 
(burry; raspy)
chick-burrr  
(last syllable rapidly trilled)
.
Scarlet Tanager
hurry; worry; blurry; flurry (burry)
.
Scrub Jay
shaaaaack (drawn-out; grating)
zreeeeek
.
Seaside Sparrow
chup-chup-tzeeee
.
Sedge Wren
chip; chip or chip; chip; chrrrrr-rrr
.
Semipalmated Plover
chureee!
churrrk (burry)
.
Sharp-tailed Sparrow
tee-shaay (raspy)
.
Short-billed Dowitcher
tu-tu-tu (in flight - may be repeated)
.
Solitary Sandpiper
peet-weet-weet or peet
.
Solitary Vireo
chu-whee; cheer-ee-oh
Come here Jimmy quickly
.
Song Sparrow
Maids-maids-maids-put-on-
your-tea-kettle-ettle-ettle
Hip; hip; hip hurrah boys; 
spring is here!
Madge; Madge; Madge 
pick beetles off; the water's hot
.
Sora
ker-wee   ker-wee
(descending whinny)
.
Spotted Sandpiper
peet-peet-peet-peet 
weet-weet-weet-weet 
.
Sprague's Pipit
ching-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-
a-ring-a  (descending)
.
Starling
wolf-whistle (breathy)
.
Steller's Jay
shaaaaack (drawn-out; grating)
shook-shook-shook-shook-shook 
.
Summer Tanager
cheer-up; cheer-a-lee 
(bouncy - musical)
.
Summer Tanager
piky-tucky-tuck or pik-a-tuck
.
Swainson's Hawk
kreeeeeeeeeerr 
(drawn-out; shrill; plaintive)
.
Swainson's Thrush
rurrip; rurrip...
whit; whit
.
Swainson's Warbler
whee; whee; whee whip-poor-will
.
Swamp Sparrow
chipping trill (slower; staccato)
.
Tennessee Warbler
tika-tika-tika; swee-swee-swee; 
chay-chay-chay
.
Tufted Titmouse
cheeva; cheeva; cheeva 
fer-da; fer-da; fer-da 
here; here; here 
peter-peter-peter- 
.
Tundra Swan
woo-ho and woo-woo
.
Upland Sandpiper
ch-wut
wolf-whistle 
(long; drawn-out)
.
Varied Thrush
chyup
.
Veery
veer-veer-veer-veer- (ethereal)
.
Vesper Sparrow
like Song Sparrow; 
but lower; more guttural
Listen to my evening sing-ing-ing-ing
here-here; where-where; 
all-together-down-the-hill
.
Virginia Rail
ki-dik; ki-dik; ki-dik
tic-tic-mcgreer
.
Warbling Vireo
warbled phrases (complicated)
If I sees you; I will seize you; and 
I'll squeeze you till you squirt 
(to a sought caterpillar)
brigadier; brigadier; briga-tee
.
Western Bluebird
few (sofly)
.
Western Grebe
krik-krik
.
Western Kingbird
kit
.
Western Kingbird
whit; whit; whit
.
Western Meadowlark
flute-like; 7-10 gurgling notes
.
Western Screech-Owl
accelerating hollow whistles; 
constant pitch
.
Western Tanager
pri-di-dik
.
Western Towhee
chup-chup-zeeee!
.
Western Wood Pewee
peeer (burry)
.
Whimbrel
ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti (clear; 5-7; rapid pace)
whistled notes - clear; 5-7; 
rapid pace
.
Whippoorwill
whip-poor-will
.
White-breasted Nuthatch
anh-anh-anh-anh- (nasally)
tooy-tooy-tooy-tooy
wee-wee-wee-wee-
who-who-who-who-
.
White-crowned Sparrow
more; more; more cheezies; please
pink (loudly)
tseeeep (thin)
.
White-eyed Vireo
chick; per-wee-tee-o; 
chick or chick-per-wee-o
Quick give me a rain check
Spit and see if I care; spit!
.
White-throated Sparrow
O Sweet Canada; Canada; Canada
O-san-pibbity-pibbity-pibbity
.
White-throated Swift
je-je-je-je-je-je-je- (shrill; excited)
.
Whooping Crane
ker-laa; ker-laa 
(second note higher-pitched)
.
Wild Turkey
gobble-gobble-gobble-
.
Willet
pill-will-willet
.
Willow Flycatcher
fitz-bew (burry)
.
Wilson's Warbler
chee-chee-chee; 
chet-chet-chet-chet
.
Winter Wren
varied; complicated; 
bubbly and busy
.
Wood Duck
jeeeeeeee!
!-sliding (hp) whistle
whoo-eek (breathy; whistley)
.
Wood Thrush
chk-chk-chk (dry-subtle)
ra-vi-o-li (flute-like)
ee-oh-lay 
(flute-like - last note trilly)
ra-vi-o-li (flute-like)
oo-duh-lay-oh or oodle-drrrr 
(last note trilly)
fweet-fweet-fweet (rapid-fire)
.
Worm-eating Warbler
trill (very rapid; even; mechanical)
.
Yellow Rail
click click (typewriter-like)
tik-tik; tik-tik-tik;
(2-3 rhythm; repeated)
.
Yellow Warbler
sweet; sweet; sweet; little-more-sweet
.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
chu-wee; chu-wee
killik
.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
meeew (whiny; nasal)
.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
hoo-luh; hoo-luh; hoo-luh
(1/sec; broken)
ka-ka-ka-  kowp-kowp-kowp
.
Yellow-breasted Chat
whoit (whistled)
wit; wit; wit or chak; chak; chak
.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
hoarse; raspy notes and phrases
.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
trill in two parts 
2nd higher or lower in pitch
trill (weak; unvaried)
.
Yellow-throated Vireo
three-Ay; three-Ay
.
Yellow-throated Warbler
tsyoo-tsyoo-tsyoo-tsyoo   -tswee