Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
An Eastern Phoebe calls out from a bare branch.

Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary, Hopkinton, MA © Robert Liscombe

10 Common Bird Sounds

April 27, 2021

Do you wonder what you’re hearing outside? Is it the Northern Cardinal you see flitting about? Or maybe it’s something more cryptic?

We’ve pulled together 10 sounds and songs of birds that you may commonly hear when you are out and about in your yard or neighborhood, particularly in the spring. Listen to them enough times and you’ll be able to identify some of what you are hearing when you go outside.

Northern Cardinal

Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing a loud, whistling song. Northern Cardinals used to be a species more commonly found south of New England and rarely seen in Massachusetts, but they began to expand their range northward in the 1950s. Now they are a very common species in New England.

Red northern cardinal in green bush
Northern Cardinal

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebes are cute flycatchers that often nest in manmade structures, like under the eave of a house. Their song gave them their name because it sounds like “fee-bee”.

An Eastern Phoebe calls out from a bare branch.

Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary, Hopkinton, MA © Robert Liscombe

Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is the official state bird of Massachusetts. While its chickadee-dee-dee call is perhaps the most identifiable, the chickadee’s song is a clear two- or three- note whistle similar to the Eastern Phoebe’s song. Play them both back-to-back to hear their differences.

A Black-capped Chickadee perches on a bare branch.
Black-capped Chickadee

Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a flashy member of the woodpecker family with a spotted breast and bright yellow feather shafts that you may glimpse when they fly. Their song sounds a lot like they are laughing and can be confused with the song of the Pileated Woodpecker, though the Northern Flicker’s song is more even-toned.

Northern flicker bird on tree bark
Northern Flicker

Mourning Dove

The soft coo-ing song of the Mourning Dove is often mistakenly thought to be the sound of an owl.  Another sound you may hear them make is the loud whistling their wings make when they take off and land.

Mourning Dove perched on branch
Mourning Dove

 

Mourning Dove Song

Mourning Dove Wings

Common Grackle

Common Grackles are blackbirds that have a striking iridescence to their feathers in the sunlight. Their song sounds like a rusty gate opening.

Shiny grackle standing on ledge
Common Grackle © Jonathan Model

House Wren

For such a tiny bird, the House Wren certainly has a lot to say—and loudly! Their bubbly song is fast-paced and often made up of over 12 syllables per bout of singing. They also have large repertoires of songs and will sing around 600 times an hour during the spring.

House Wren on branch with greenery background
House Wren

Baltimore Oriole 

The striking Baltimore Oriole is often considered a sign of spring in Massachusetts with its flute-like song. Baltimore Orioles build intricate hanging nests that cradle their young.

Baltimore Oriole male in blossoming tree © Sandy Selesky
Baltimore Oriole © Sandy Selesky

Grey Catbird

The Gray Catbird is another bird whose song inspired its name. Though they make a lot of different sounds, including gurgles, squeaks, and whistles, their cat-like mew is very distinctive.

Gray Catbird on ground
Gray Catbird

Grey Catbird Song

Grey Catbird Mew

Chipping Sparrow

Unsurprisingly, given its name, the Chipping Sparrow’s song is a series of metallic sounding chips. If you look closely at this small sparrow, you’ll spot its rusty hat.

A Chipping Sparrow sits on an evergreen branch at Drumlin Farm.
Chipping Sparrow

Learn More About Massachusetts Birds

Learning to differentiate between various bird songs can be a valuable skill in the field. Familiarize yourself with the birds of Massachusetts, and their birdsong, before your next birding adventure. 

Learn More