Years ago, when I was college age, there was a time when I heard this marvellously melodic birdsong outside my window just before sunrise, and I’ve always wondered what it was. The problem is, I don’t remember if it was in San Diego, where I did most of my college, or in Germany where I spent my junior year. I have a hunch it was the latter, though. My first thought was that it might be a nightingale, since they don’t live in North America, but after hearing a soundclip of a nightingale song, it was nothing like it.
I have no idea what musical notes would be closest to the actual song, but I do remember the melodic intervals. Let’s say the song began in G above middle-C on the piano. Then it went something like:
G-C-G-G# (the G-sharp being just over an octive higher than the preceding note).
I noticed Colibri’s around, so maybe he can answer this.
The likeliest birds you would have heard in San Diego would be a mockingbird (which would be much more varied than you describe) or a house finch. Finches have a song which is fairly repetitive; however, although it isn’t unpleasant, it sounds a bit “messier” than the song you describe.
Hi!
If the house was in a city, I believe the only possible “beautiful songster” must be a European Blackbird. The Blackbird song varies from individual to individual. Your description fits one phrase of a single bird…
In Germany the Song Thrush is also found in cities but its song does not match that of the blackbird.
Nightingales are not found in or even near cities.
(European blackbirds are not related to American blackbirds).