# Songbirds: a revelation followed by typical cynicism. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810 "2003-05-12T22:42:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/1 "2003-05-12T22:42:58Z")
Have you ever read one of those bird books that describes the songs of songbirds in English onomatopoeic terms? You know: > [@](#): > > **Eastern Ring-necked Warbler** (_Genus speciosa_) > > This lovely, locally prolific songbird is a renowned harbinger of spring, with the male showing his bright red wings and his distinctive “Tra-Lolly-Lolly-Poo-Poo” call. I used to think those things were so full of shit. I’ve had my share of ornithology. I’ve been into the field with professional birders. I’ve even listened to the occasional instructional tape to try to hone my birding skills. Yes, I’m a naturalist geek. But none of those freaking descriptions were accurate. I’d be all like, “Yeah, I hear the bird. No, the goddamn thing still doesn’t sound like ‘_chim-chiminy-chee_.’ I don’t know what the heck it would sound like if translated to English onomatopoeia, but ‘_chim-chiminy-chee_’ ain’t it. I don’t care if it’s been through committee.” I never thought a whippoorwill sounded like “_whip-poor-will_.” Well, all that’s changed. There is a bird outside, on a limb close to my window, that is speaking very clearly to me. In English. He is saying, with absolute lucidity, and with stunning repetition, “_Chicory Chicory Chicory Choo._” This is not onomatopoeia. This is English. I feel like I’ve had an epiphany. This should be a grand, glorious moment in my understanding of the world. Why then do I desperately want a .410 and some birdshot? Could have something to do with the fact that the little bastard’s been there **all day long**. ---
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/2 "2003-05-13T00:24:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > **chim-chiminy-chee** A mary poppins tune right? chim-chiminy chim-chiminy chim-chim charu damned if I can remember the rest though. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/3 "2003-05-13T00:27:58Z")
Chim chiminy Chim Chiminy Chim chim charee A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be Chim chiminy chim Chiminy Chim Chim charoo Good luck will rub off if he shakes hands with you ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/4 "2003-05-13T02:19:19Z")
The (god damned) house sparrows that live outside in the tree out the bedroom window have a really particular and annoying call. It starts out very warbly and nice and cute but then near the end turns harsh and angry and scratchy and screeching. I have this sort of idea of how it must sound to girl birds; “Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey sweetheart, hey baby GODDAMNIT BITCH GET INTO MY CAR NOW” ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/5 "2003-05-13T02:45:24Z")
> [@](#): > > “Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey sweetheart, hey baby GODDAMNIT BITCH GET INTO MY CAR NOW” Pfffhahahahahaha! 🙂 That was hysterical. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/6 "2003-05-13T02:48:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _From Hank Williams_… > > Hear the lonesome whippoorwill > His song’s too blue to fly > The midnight train is a-winding low > I’m so lonesome I could cry ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songbirds-a-revelation-followed-by-typical-cynicism/174810/7 "2003-05-13T02:57:01Z")
Confound it, **Jonathan** , it’s “He sounds too blue to fly.” 🙂 Forgive me. I’m a Hank Williams geek too.