# Help me identify this birdcall

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-birdcall/351492>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 5, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-birdcall/351492 "2006-04-05T23:23:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cockatiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cockatiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cockatiel)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-birdcall/351492/1 "2006-04-05T23:23:55Z")

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I heard this bird while hanging out in the backyard a few days ago. I’ve actually heard the call a lot before but I never could identify it: Four or five clear, even, whistled notes on one pitch, followed by a pause, then more whistles in the same note, a pause, etc. It’s pretty loud, but I’ve never seen the bird when it does it, so I’m stumped. If it helps, I live in the suburbs of Maryland, about thirty minutes away from Baltimore, and there’s a patch of deciduous woods in my backyard. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? An audio file would help a lot if you have one. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-birdcall/351492/2 "2006-04-06T01:03:34Z")

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It could be many birds, but, you might be hearing the distinct loud call of the cardinal; they’re pretty loud now. The [Cornell Lab for Ornithology](http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Cardinal_dtl.html#sound) is a great site for all thangs birdwise.

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**Author:** ![Cockatiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cockatiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cockatiel)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-birdcall/351492/3 "2006-04-06T03:18:51Z")

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Thanks, **elelle** , that’s a great link. That recording wasn’t what I heard, but I’ll check that site out.