The Song Sparrow visiting my yard this past week reminds me of the importance of song in our lives. Music is a great healer and mood changer.
The song, Sing, written originally by Joe Raposo for Sesame Street, and made popular by the Carpenters in 1973 comes to mind. It carries some positive messaging that is welcome at the moment, the song begins, “Sing, sing a song, Sing out loud, Sing out strong, Sing of good things not bad, Sing of happy not sad.”
It goes on to include, “Let the world sing along, Sing of love there could be, Sing for you and for me”.
I am happy the Song Sparrow chose to sing for me. These sparrows have local variations to their song and have quite an extended repertoire unique to the individual. They begin learning to sing within the first couple of weeks of life.
A study reported by Penn State University, New Kingston says, “Most males have between six and twenty-four, two to three-second long songs. They sing between five and seven songs a minute (but can up that count to ten per minute during territorial disputes). Once the territories are sorted out, females are attracted to the vigour, complexity, and, possibly, uniqueness of a male’s song.”
Perhaps having our own songs is what makes each of us distinct and attractive in our own ways.
Song Sparrows not only have “regional dialects” and personal songs, they have physiological differences based on geographical location in terms of colour and size, while retaining genetic similarities. Those in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands, for example, weigh twice as much as those in eastern North America and are one-third longer (allaboutbirds.org). They will migrate to southern United States or Mexico. The ones in this area tend to be year-round residents.
It is interesting to note that despite regional differences and unlike a lot of songbirds, the male and female are not distinctive one from the other, although the male may be slightly larger. Pairs choose a nest site together, often in grasses or on the ground, although they may build higher. The female builds the nest and lays 3-6 eggs that take 10 days to incubate. The pair may have three clutches in a breeding season.
Song Sparrows eat seeds and fruits throughout the year, and insects, spiders, worms and other such delicacies when available. They are quite comfortable living near humans. This grey and red-brown bird can be identified in this area from the many other types of sparrows by its medium-sized (4.7-6.7 in/12-17 cm) and strong streaks on its white breast. It pumps its long, rounded tail when flying, sometimes forages on the ground and sings from a low perch.
I share experiences of bird visitors to this property with readers every couple of weeks. Until next time, keep your eye to the sky, and look for birds that may come by.
And remember: “Sing, Sing a Song, Don't worry that it's not
good enough for anyone else to hear, Just sing, sing a song”.
Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, a storyteller, and a playwright. She blogs on her website rosiewrites.com