Listening to a Continent Sing

A Henslow's sparrow, blown about in the wind on a dead stalk from last year's growth, singing his heart out. It's a song that has prompted some to use terms like "pathetic," but I know better. I inspect the sonagram of this fine sparrow, seeing the sliding whistles that begin up about 10,000 Hz and drop down to 4,000.

Showing no mercy, I include all 32 of his songs over nearly two minutes.

Background

Prairie warbler, indigo bunting, and the hiss of a windy day.

Photo by Wil Hershberger