This Spring Is The Perfect Time To Listen For These Backyard Birdsongs Common In West Virginia

You've probably heard the advice, "take time to stop and smell the roses." It's great advice right now, and so is this: take some time over the next few days to stop and listen to the birds as they sing. You'll find it to be a comforting, encouraging, refreshing exercise.

And we're about to make it educational, too, because we're going to help you identify which birds you're hearing. Of course, it's a bit more complicated than one song per species; in addition to songs usually used to attract a mate, birds also have various distinct calls to warn of danger or identify themselves. But at least this gives you a place to start.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinals sing a cheerful song of slurred whistles and trills. "Cheer, cheer, cheer; birdie, birdie, birdie," they seem to chorus.

Tufted Titmouse

A tufted titmouse sings "peter-peter-peter-peter."

American Robin

An American Robin sings "Cheerily, cheer-up, cheer-up! Cheerily, cheer-up!"

Eastern Towhee

The Eastern Towhee admonishes: "Drink your tea!"

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds sing "trrrrr-u-ly" (or "puuuurrrrity" or "cheeerr-i-lyyy") and "pew-pew-pew."

Chickadee

The chickadee knows its own name: "chk-a-dee-dee-dee." Sometimes it calls for its friend, Phoebe.

Barred Owl

A barred owl queries, "Who cooks for you?"

We recognize that this is only a handful of hundreds of backyard birds you could be hearing right now, especially in West Virginia, a state famous for her birding opportunities! What are your favorite birds to listen for, and what do they sound like? Share a YouTube link in the comments!

To encourage backyard birds, consider adding a bird feeder and some birdhouses to your landscape.

And if you're looking for a great place to go birding besides your own yard, try the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory!