As I mentioned in my last column, birds draw on a variety of sounds to communicate. Typical sounds fall into two main groups: relatively long and elaborate songs, used to impress and attract a mate or ...

From somewhere in the backyard, an Eastern towhee says: "Drink your teeeee!" Then, a Carolina wren says: "Tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea." A Northern cardinal chimes in: "Cheer, cheer, cheer, ...