The Chirpa Chirpa Bird

Every year, we await the return of the Chirpa Chirpa Bird.  Usually, it returns in early May - and this year was no exception.  But, this year, it seemed to take our Brown Thrasher a bit of time before he found the most prominent place on the farm to sing.

And, Rob's new phone actually came in handy so we could record his Chirpa Chirpa Song for you!

Of course we like the Brown Thrasher because of its song, but I have a place in my heart for them because a Brown Thrasher would often keep me company as I trimmed the Mulberry Hedge in our back yard.  It would often flick its long, brown tail as it hopped from branch to branch to see what in the world I was doing to its home.  They may also be one of the prettiest birds you'll see when the sun hits their feathers just right, showing off a coppery red-brown shade.

So, why is our Brown Thrasher singing loudly from the top of this tree now?  First, we should tell you that we did hear this particular bird a couple of weeks ago, but it really did not seem to be singing quite so loud - and it didn't place itself so prominently so it could project.  It turns out that the male sings more quietly when it is courting and much more loudly when there is a nest to defend!  We also learned that both birds might present each other with sticks and leaves during the 'dating' process.

Well, that certainly makes some sense.  If you were a female Brown Thrasher, would you find it attractive to have the male sing at you like this?

HEY!HEY! CHIRPA CHIRPA!  LOOKA LOOKA!  HERE'S A STICK FOR YOU! HERE'S A STICK FOR YOU!

Yes, I think most Thrasher females might like a calmer, more sensitive approach.

Something more like:
Hey hey.  Chirpa chirpa.  Stick? Stick?  For you? For you?  

At some point in the not too distant future, the Chirpa Chirpa bird will fall silent.  Something about being tired after feeding the extra mouths in the nest.  But, until then...  we get to hear what you hear in the video.

And, if we're lucky, we'll go through it a gain as they have a second nest full of young later in the year.