Hard to argue with Am. Robin as one of the best singers anyone is likely to
hear in Oregon, this time of year.
They sing loud and proud. They are always tuneful. And, if your ears are
working, you almost are guaranteed to hear them. For the birding-by-ear folks,
they're the touchstone for comparing other species like
Rose-breasted/Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western Tanagers.
The song of White-crowned Sparrows is one that I tend to forget to note while
doing point counts, just because it's so much a part of the "background" for
this area. Like the smell of Doug-firs or poison-oak in bloom, you just kind of
expect it, and hence you can overlook it. But they really put their little
hearts into hitting the high note of their song.
But I feel like I need to stick up for Savannah Sparrows. It's not their fault
that their song is pitched on the high end for human ears. They work really
hard at it, singing from the flimsiest of perches.
--
Joel Geier
Tampico Ridge north of Corvallis
