Purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus). 

The rose-red finch with a clear and open song. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter 
• Listen online on our Homepage 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Purple finch song by Gregory Budney (ML510176) 
• Purple finch call by Robert C. Stein and Randolph Little (ML510178) 
• House finch song by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML510161) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Finch/ 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/purple-finch 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus). 

The woodpecker with handsome plumage and a taste for ants. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Listen online on our Homepage

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Northern flicker call by Wil Hershberger (ML507419)
• Northern flicker "kew" call by Leonard J. Peyton (ML507416)
• Northern flicker "wick" call by Wil Hershberger (ML507414)
• Pileated woodpecker call by Dave Herr (ML507434)

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-flicker 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca). 

A rusty winter sparrow with a hearty “smack” call. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter 
• Listen online on our Homepage 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Fox sparrow song by William W. H. Gunn (ML509629) 
• Fox sparrow call by Wil Hershberger (ML509632) 
• Fox sparrow "smack" call by William W. H. Gunn (ML509631) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/fox_sparrow 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/fox-sparrow 
• Beadle D, Rising Jim. 2002. Sparrows of the United States and Canada : the photographic guide. San Diego: Natural World. 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

Downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens). 

The little woodpecker with a cascading call. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter 
• Listen online on our Homepage 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Downy woodpecker hammering by Wil Hershberger (ML507359) 
• Downy woodpecker calls and foraging by Wil Hershberger (ML507352) 
• Downy woodpecker cascading call by William W. H. Gunn (ML507357) 
• Hairy woodpecker call by Wil Hershberger (ML507364) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/downy-woodpecker 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

American robin (Turdus migratorius). 

Our most common thrush. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Listen online on our Homepage

 The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• American robin song by Wil Hershberger (ML508723) 
• American robin call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508740) 
• American robin "squeak" call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508739) 
• American robin "tuck" call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508732) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-robin 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 

Brown creeper (Certhia americana). 

The tree bark specialist with a high-pitched call. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Listen online on our Homepage

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Brown creeper song by Wil Hershberger (ML508349)
• Brown creeper call 1 by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508344)
• Brown creeper call 2 by Robert C. Stein and Eugene Morton (ML508356)
• Golden-crowned kinglet call by Matthew D. Medler (ML508542)

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_creeper
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brown-creeper
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions.
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co.

Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus). 

Winter's thrush. 

Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter 
• Listen online on our Homepage 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Hermit thrush song by Wil Hershberger (ML508700) 
• Hermit thrush pluck call by Wil Hershberger (ML508703) 
• Hermit thrush wheeze call by William Evans (ML508704) 
• Hermit thrush high pitch call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508687) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_thrush 
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/hermit-thrush 
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions. 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). 

The honorary “winter finch” with a high-pitched honk. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Listen online on our Homepage

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Red-breasted nuthatch call by Arnoud van den Berg (ML508298)
• Red-breasted nuthatch soft calls by Wil Hershberger (ML508300)
• White-breasted nuthatch call by William W. H. Gunn (ML508306)
• Red-breasted nuthatch tin horn song by William W. H. Gunn (ML508297)

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Nuthatch/  
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC.
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). 

The woodpecker that makes lines of holes in tree bark. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter 
• Listen online on our Homepage 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Yellow-bellied sapsucker nasal call by Gregory Budney (ML507314) 
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker drumming by Mike Anderson (ML507320) 
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker scratchy call by Donald Kerr (ML507319) 

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker  
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/yellow-bellied-sapsucker 
• Dobson, C., Kassenbaum, D., Oehmke, D., & Misewicz, M. (2023). Field guide to hotspots and birds in Illinois. Scissortail LLC. 
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. 
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co. 

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). 

A common corvid with a big vocabulary. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

• Subscription links Here 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Listen online on our Homepage

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

• Blue Jay "jay" call 1 by Wil Hershberger (ML507916)
• Blue Jay "jay" call 2 by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML507922)
• Blue Jay red-tail mimic by Lucie R. Gunn (ML507946)
• Blue Jay red-shouldered mimic by Wil Hershberger (ML227078211)
• Blue Jay grinding call by Wil Hershberger (ML507923)
• Blue Jay "gentle honking" call by William W. H. Gunn (ML507931)
• Blue Jay alarm squeaking by Robert C. Stein and Robert B. Angstadt (ML507939)
• Blue Jay rusty gate call by Robert C. Stein and Eugene Morton (ML507936)
• Blue Jay musical rusty gate call by Matthew D. Medler  (ML507942)
• Blue Jay "whisper" song by Martha Fischer (ML507918)
• Blue Jay "jay" call 3 by Wil Hershberger (ML507915)

Sources and more: 

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/
• https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/blue-jay  
• Godfrey, M. A., & Kaufman, Kenn. (Directors). (2004). National Audubon Society videoguide to the birds of North America [Video recording]. In Audubon videoguide to 505 birds of North America DVD I & DVD II (Fullscreen.). Godfrey-Stadin Productions.
• Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (1980). A field guide to the birds: A completely new guide to all the birds of eastern and central North America (Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged.). Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Sibley, D. (2016). Sibley birds East: Field guide to birds of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.
• Walton, R. K., & Lawson, R. W. (1989). Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central [Compact Disc]. On Eastern/Central birding by ear. Houghton Mifflin Co.