Some Sing (Spotted Towhee top); Others Drum (Chilean Flicker bottom)
Early spring light encourages birds to sing, and for some, to drum. Yesterday, Seattle’s Union Bay Natural Area was alive with birds – 43 species my friend and I tallied in two hours – including waterfowl, raptors, gulls, wrens, warblers and sparrows plus one plump beaver. Bird song was in the air. The aptly named Song Sparrow, as well as Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren and House Finch were among the most prominent singers.
But for me, the highlight occurred in the parking lot where a Northern Flicker perched atop a light fixture and proceeded to drum. By drumming, I mean a series of short metallic drum rolls. As a former drummer, I found these amazing. It takes two hands, two sticks and lots of practice for humans to perform smooth drum rolls. The Flicker did them with the equivalent of one hand/stick (his bill). His rolls were smooth. Perhaps you’ve heard them lately on your stove pipe or chimney. Woodpeckers cannot sing, so they drum to attract mates and establish territory.
The next time you hear a woodpecker drum roll, try to appreciate it (especially when it occurs at first light). This is the song of wildlife in your neighborhood. It usually only happens during the spring time. Then there should be no more drum solos until next spring.
