I'm trying to identify a garden bird (Cambridgeshire) from its song, and wonder if anyone can help. I haven't seen the bird, so only have the song to go by. It's has a two-note song. Not short, like a tit, and not 'tweety', but just two notes repeated: high, low - high, low. Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hello Heidi,
It's usually difficult to ID a song from just a written description. but in this case I think it might be possible. If this "high-low, high-low" sounded like someone pumping up a bicycle tyre, then it was probably a Great Tit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDLF2fxoWQ.
It's worth remembering that Great Tit song is very variable, so "your" bird might not have sounded exactly like the individual here.
MC:-)
Hi Heidi
I would try to use the RSPB bird identifier by trying a few different birds, starting with more common varieties. You can listen to all bird songs on there.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier/
It might be a Chiffchaff or a Great Tit
Best wishes Chris
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Thanks very much. That's it! I really appreciate it.
Heidi
Unknown said: Hello Heidi, It's usually difficult to ID a song from just a written description. but in this case I think it might be possible. If this "high-low, high-low" sounded like someone pumping up a bicycle tyre, then it was probably a Great Tit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDLF2fxoWQ. It's worth remembering that Great Tit song is very variable, so "your" bird might not have sounded exactly like the individual here. MC:-)
Thanks, Woodpecker. The bird identifier is a great site. I had actually tried it, but hadn't been flexible enough in interpreting the Great Tit song. But I know now that that's what it was. Mission accomplished!
Glad the bird identifier helped you there :o)
I too was struggling with a Great Tit a while back, it was sounding like no Great Tit I'd ever heard before!
I fair much better when I see the bird doing the singing - then the sound sticks better, blindly guessing and working out bird songs drives me mad!