Here we have one of those delightful little beings who is heard more than seen. He is, after all, always drably dressed and only about 6 inches long. Yet, what a talented performer he is! He can make your day when you wake up to his song, or go to bed to his song, or walk with his song wafting in a fresh breeze, or get plinked by raindrops as he sings on a wet day.
He’s the aptly named song sparrow and he sings virtually all the time. His melodic nature was recognized in Latin by scholars who gave his species the scientific name Melospiza melodia. Even his slightly smaller mate sings, but not as frequently. It’s a musical family.
It's impossible to accurately describe the song sparrow’s theme song, the one that we hear all summer. Forbush gave up and used Henry David Thoreau’s report of how “country people” described the song: “Maids! Maids! Maids! Hang up your teakettle-ettle-ettle” -- with the first three notes long but brisk and the last notes run together quickly. That does not nearly do this Top 10 Tune on the Bird Billboard justice.
And, this meister singer is not just a soloist. He’s been reported to come close and harmonize to the sound of music heard through an open window from a piano or radio. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine on April 23 and May 8, 2025.)