Listening to a Continent Sing

A second field sparrow, just across Carters Mill Road, offers what sounds like a mournful song to commemorate the occasion of the slaughter here on Malvern Hill. He begins with three pure tonal notes, followed by an abrupt change to a rapid trill of down-slurred whistles. Over and over, with essentially no variation except the number of bounces in the trill, he repeats his mournful dirge.

Listen to this male's two neighbors at VA-19, VA-21.

Background

Rain. Carolina wren, tufted titmouse, American crow, northern cardinal, dogs

Photo by Wil Hershberger