Western Bird Song Mnemonics

Common Western Bird Mnemonics

• American Robin: "cheer-up, cheerily, cheerio"

• Red-winged Blackbird: "conk-er-reeeeee"

• Spotted/Eastern Towhee: "drink your teeee"

• American Goldfinch: "po-ta-to-chip" (often heard during flight)

• Black-capped/Mountain Chickadee: "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" or "hey sweetie"

• White-breasted Nuthatch: "yank, yank, yank" (nasal call)

• Yellow-headed Blackbird: "Don't you DARE!"

• Brewer's Blackbird: "WHIS-KEY!"

• Western Wood-Pewee: "peee-weee" (descending)

• Anna's Hummingbird: "chee-ik-ee-ik-ee-ik"

• Common Raven: "gronk-gronk"

• Bewick's Wren: Similar to a Song Sparrow but thinner and more rapid. 

Warbler & Sparrow Mnemonics 

• Yellow Warbler: "Sweet, sweet, sweeter than sweet"

• White-throated Sparrow: "Oh poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody"

• Song Sparrow: "Maids, maids, maids, put on the tea kettle" 

Key Tips

• Shape/Size/Sound: Use the five S's (Shape, Shade, Size, Sound, Space) for identification.

Phonetics: Some birds, like the Phoebe, say their own name.