Birdsong

[237SJ]

There`s a bird that sings here (I think it`s a native bird) and although it`s hard to describe obviously, it has a two-tone call - a high note followed by a low note (in the same sort of way that a cuckoo calls). I thought it was a chiffchaff but I listened to one on youtube and it`s not. I think it`s quite a small bird judging by the sound. Any ideas? I don`t know what to google to have a listen

[rowanwitch]

where are you?

[237SJ]

South West London but it sings a lot in Devon where I come from

[gingejbee]

The RSPB site has bird-song sounds that help identify them.

[237SJ]

Thanks gingebee but wouldn`t I have to plough through lots of birds to find it? I want a couple of pointers really to start with.

[rowanwitch]

Try the RSPB web site search the different birds
on each page is a place to click to hear the song
a clear call like that heard this time of year might be a young song thrush as it takes them some time to build up a repertoire of calls similarly young robins and blackbirds

[237SJ]

Thanks rowan - it`s not a thrush, blackbird, robin, wren, sparrow, starling. My dad was a bird expert and I picked up a bit from him so I know a lot of the birds. The ironic thing is, that bird was singing a lot in the spring when he died and when I hear it, it reminds me of that time which is why I want to find out what bird it is. I read that birds sing differently in the town and it`s true. The same bird sings faster and higher pitched here than it did in the country. I guess I`ll plough the RSPB site when I have the time.

[237SJ]

Just looked through youtube (I can`t do links) and there is a clip entitled bird songs by garymet88 and when it gets to the common chaffinch, you can hear the birdsong I`m talking about in the background.

[Prudie]

A Great Tit often makes a 2 tone call like that

[237SJ]

Prudie, thanks. I looked up and listened to the great tit and you`re right it has the same two tone sound. I think the bird I`m hearing here in the town is the Great Tit and the one from the country is actually a different bird. My memory is playing tricks on me. It`s the country one I want to know. I think it is a woodland bird. It sings constantly in April and reminds me of when my Dad died. It`s definitely the one on the youtube clip.

[redman41]

I have just tried Googling garymet88 and nothing comes up associated with him 237SJ ! I wanted to listen to the clip myself just incase I recognised the Bird in question

[237SJ]

Hi Redman, sorry I wasn`t being very clear. If you go onto youtube and search bird songs, a clip comes up by someone called Ganymed88 (not garymed as I stated). When you get to the part of the clip where he plays the song of the common chaffinch, you can hear the two-tone call of the bird I`m talking about in the background.

[redman41]

Found it at last 237SJ ! Listened to it 3 times as you can certainly hear it singing in the background in Chaffinch sequence.
Was going to agree with Prudie regarding Great Tit but it sounds slightly different to Great Tit song on the same clip. had thought Wood warbler but don't think so.
Cannot be sure what Bird it is, perhaps if you go back on RSPB site and bring up woodland Birds so that you can listen to their songs, something might come up.

[237SJ]

Thanks for trying Redman. Now I`ve heard it on you tube I`m pretty sure it`s not the Great Tit. It`s slower and lower pitched. I`ve seen it from a distance sitting on top of a huge ash tree in the field behind our garden in Devon and I think it`s a lone bird rather than one that flocks. I`ll have to keep looking.

[redman41]

What does the Bird look like and roughly what size is it ? Is it the size of a Warbler or bigger ?

[rowanwitch]

coal tit is two tone but quite quick

[redman41]

Could this be the Bird 237 ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56EyDQW20RY

[237SJ]

Hi again (been out). No, that`s not it. When I saw it on the tree it was a little way away so I would say it is bigger than a tit, robin etc and maybe the size of a thrush or smaller. I couldn`t see clearly.

[redman41]

Is it a Chiff Chaff 237SJ ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_C2Z9PWEaM

[237SJ]

Hi, no it`s not a chiffchaff. My mother was around here earlier and I played her the clip from youtube. She said "yes, that`s the bird. Used to get on my nerves"!

[rowanwitch]

sounds like two birds in the background of chaffinch clip or one with two different call notes both are great tits with slightly different tones... would guess what you are hearing is a male and female..... I tinkerered with the sound setting until the back ground was a bit clearer or if the size is wrong for the bird you are seeing the most obvious other option is a freak pale starling imitating a great tit