It's a curious thing to say about creatures that are in fact dinosaurs, and have endured for tens of millions of years, but birds are having a moment. Birding has a growing number of young practitioners. In city and town, it's an accessible way to connect to nature.

Birders often keep a list of the birds they've seen. But there are less formal ways of appreciation. There's a specific pleasure in birdsong – and in recognizing the calls of the birds that surround us.

A long-time park ranger, Mark Kirtley has led visitor programs at Big Bend on animal sounds – including identifying and imitating birdcalls.

The curve-billed thrasher has been described as the “default desert bird.�...