# Help to identify a bird by its call **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888 "2026-03-30T14:07:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/1 "2026-03-30T14:07:09Z")
Hello, and wish me luck! I’m going to post a short video I took yesterday, in an attempt to record the sound of this bird. (Also pardon the bathtub, I was standing at the bathroom window). I hear this call all the time in my yard in North Florida. To me, it sounds like the bird is saying “Rickety, rickety, rickety.” I’ve never seen the bird, and haven’t been able to identify the sound with an app, so I turn to you guys! The bird calls twice during the video, the best capture is at about 10 seconds. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/55177490539_848f7d111e_b.jpg "Bird") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/55177490539/) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/2 "2026-03-30T14:23:50Z")
I would suggest you get the Merlin bird ID app. It’s free and it identifies all the birdsong it hears. I would recommend it even without this question because it’s fun. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/3 "2026-03-30T14:45:39Z")
This! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/4 "2026-03-30T14:46:17Z")
I did, and it is fun! My dogs were very patient until I played the barred owl call and then they all jumped up barking and looking for it. I’ll try again going through the list, because I heard some birds that sounded capable of making the call, but none that actually said “rickety”. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/5 "2026-03-30T14:58:15Z")
The app wasn’t able to identify the call when it listened to it? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/6 "2026-03-30T15:06:18Z")
For caller ID issues, I’d suggest contacting Verizon 🤪 I’ll fly away now ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/7 "2026-03-30T15:24:14Z")
I haven’t yet figured out if it can listen to my video clip. I just went through and listened to the samples it gave of birds in my area. It can record and identify also, but I haven’t heard a peep out of the feathery little stinker since I downloaded the app. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/8 "2026-03-30T15:31:40Z")
Never mind. Ninja’d. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/9 "2026-03-30T15:46:28Z")
I just played the video while holding up my phone with Merlin active, and it’s telling me you’ve got a Carolina Wren. They’re common in Northern Florida, according to Merlin. If you ask me, forget AI: Merlin is the best technology to come along in the last fifteen years. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/10 "2026-03-30T17:15:00Z")
Merlin does fall under the umbrella of AI. Specifically I believe it works by Fourier analysis of spectral bird calls and then uses trained machine learning algorithms to identify. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/11 "2026-03-30T17:31:18Z")
Thank you! I played the sample and it doesn’t sound exactly like what I’m hearing, but it does make sense. We’ve got loads of them. I had to move a nest with a tiny egg out of the garage the other day, maybe “rickety” is a bad name I’m being called. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/12 "2026-03-30T20:39:42Z")
Yes. I got wren too. I love the app. We have a contest now. We’re gonna see who can catch the most different species a day. Oh, yay! Spring funzies that ain’t about dye-ing eggs and zombies rising from the dead. (Right now the Cardinals are winning on my phone) ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/13 "2026-03-30T20:59:22Z")
That’s a Carolina Wren, we get them a lot here in south Florida. Teeny little things! ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/14 "2026-03-31T01:41:09Z")
Idk, I’d put Picture This up there with Merlin, too! Excellent app. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/15 "2026-03-31T01:48:33Z")
> [@Daithi\_Lacha](#): > > Teeny little things! Especially considering how loud they are. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/16 "2026-03-31T12:04:57Z")
Oh, we have a Carolina Wren in the back yard. I mean, we probably have a pair, but i only ever notice the male, declaring his territory. It’s a tiny, inconspicuous thing. What birdwatchers sometimes call an LBJ (little brown jobbie). The first time i noticed him, he was right outside my window, and i simply couldn’t believe that such a tiny bird was making such a big noise. I literally watched the skin on his neck go in and out in time to the call for a while before i believed that incredibly loud bird call was coming from him. Cute little birds, once you notice them. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/17 "2026-03-31T12:25:40Z")
House wrens are even smaller and even louder. They’re fearless little dinosaurs and I love them so much. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/18 "2026-03-31T12:29:40Z")
I’m pretty sure we have Carolina wrens here in southern Ontario, and in fact a Google search confirms that they’re common in the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor, Hamilton, and some outlying areas. I’m sure I’ve heard them both in the previous house within the city and in this one way out in the burbs. Google also says they tend to be year-round residents, and I definitely know I’ve been hearing them for at least a month now, and probably much longer. Another bird sound that’s common around here is the mourning dove, though I only hear those in summer. I’ve only ever heard sound #1 in this video: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1N9nMkZt1l0/maxresdefault.jpg "Mourning Dove Calls and Sounds (2025) - The THREE noises these birds make!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N9nMkZt1l0) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888/19 "2026-03-31T12:58:15Z")
For the last few years I have referred to Carolina Wrens as Tweetle-Deetles. They make an amazing variety of sounds; if I turn on Merlin for a minute or so I always catch one.