10 Common New England Bird Calls From C to N


This article is the second in the series about New England bird calls here on Birdwatch World. If you haven’t read the first post in the series, you can find it here. Once the next blog post in this series is written, it will be linked at the end of this article.

All of the birds included here are common in all 6 states of New England all year round. If you are searching for a particular bird call you have heard, you should hopefully find it here or in one of the other articles in this series.

1. Common Raven

a Common Raven perched on a stump
Common Raven – image by Fernando Sanchez de Castro/500px from Getty Images

Description

Common Ravens (also called Northern Ravens) are one of the most widespread and naturally occurring birds in the world. They are rather large birds, measuring around 69 cm (27.2 in.) in length.

Often confused with the common Crow, these birds are bigger and have a much broader beak and a different head shape.

a Common Raven on the left and an American Crow on the right

Calls

Ravens have a large vocabulary with 20 distinct calls that have known functions. Using a spectrograph to analyze the sounds ravens make, scientists have discovered 79 distinguishable call types.

They are also skilled mimics and are able to copy various other bird species, dogs barking, car alarms, and even human speech.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Lance A. M. Benner in Mount Vernon, Kennebec County, Maine. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Christopher McPherson in Brookline, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 3

Recorded by Eric B. in Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. From xeno-canto.org.
a Common Raven perched on a log with its beak open
Common Raven – image by fsanchex from Getty Image.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Ravens can be heard at any time of the day or night. As with Crows, the sound of Ravens during the night is thought by some to be a bad omen, indicating that a death has occurred or will occur.

Learn about the intelligence of Ravens and other birds in The Genius Of Birds. Read my review of this book here.

2. Dark-eyed Junco

a Dark-eyed Junco perched on a branch in the snow
Dark-eyed Junco – image by Steve Ash from Getty Images

Description

These birds are one of the most common and familiar songbirds in the US. They are found year-round in all 6 New England states.

The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized Sparrow that measures around 14.5-16.5 cm (5.7-6.5 in.) in length.

Though there is wide variation between the plumages of Dark-eyed Juncos west of the plains, in the east, they are gray to black above and have white bellies. They have the appearance of having fallen headfirst into a pot of gray or black paint.

a Dark-eyed Junco feeding on the ground
Dark-eyed Junco – image by impr2003 from Getty Images

Calls

The song of the dark-eyed junco sounds like a miniature machine gun blaster from a Star Wars movie:

Song Example 1

Recorded by Andrew Spencer on Saddleback Mountain, Franklin Co., Maine. From xeno-canto.org.

Song Example 2

Recorded by Matthias Sirch in Vermont (near Saint George), Chittenden County, Vermont. From xeno-canto.org.

Dark-eyed juncos also produce a call that is a short, sharp syllable kind of like a click of the tongue in humans:

Call Example

Recorded by Daniel Parker in Yard, Croton, New York. From xeno-canto.org.
a Dark-eyed Junco perched in a pine with a caterpillar in its beak
Dark-eye Junco with a snack – image by Dee Carpenter Photography from Getty Images

Time Of Day They Are Heard

You will hear the calls of dark-eyed juncos most time throughout the day, though they make less noise around midday.

It is not uncommon to hear them during the night either, singing or calling during flight.

Read all about what small birds like the Dark-eyed Junco eat in this article here on my blog.

3. Downy Woodpecker

a Downy Woodpecker clinging to the trunk of a tree
Downy Woodpecker – image by Tony Beck/500 px from Getty Images

Description

The Downy Woodpecker is one of the smallest and most widely distributed woodpeckers in the United States. They are around 14.4-17 cm (5.7-6.7 in.) in length.

Mostly black and white, though males do have a small red patch on the nape of their necks.

Calls

Downy woodpeckers have a variety of calls, including short pik sounds, a higher intensity peek call, a whinny that is similar to a horse only high-pitched, and more…

Pik Call

Recorded by Christopher McPherson at Beaver Brook Association – Brown Lane Barn, Hollis, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Whinny Call

Recorded by Ian Cruickshank at Swan Lake, Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC. From xeno-canto.org.
a Downy Woodpecker clinging upside down to a branch
Image by Michael Stubblefield from Getty Images.

Peek Call

Recorded by William Whitehead at Hawk Rise Sanctuary (near Linden), Union County, New Jersey. From xeno-canto.org.

Of course, the one sound that woodpeckers make we are familiar with is the drumming noise they create when pecking away at a tree. Naturally, this is not a “call” but I had to include it nonetheless.

Drumming Sound

Recorded by Christopher McPherson at Mine Falls, Nashua, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.
a Downy Woodpecker perched on a branch
Downy Woodpecker – image by johnandersonphoto from Getty Images

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Downy Woodpeckers will utter calls during all times of the day, generally starting just before or after sunrise upon emerging from their roost cavities.

Normally, woodpeckers do not peck at night however there is one recording on xeno-canto.org of a drumming sound that was recorded at midnight.

4. European Starling

a European Starling perched on a fence rail
European Starling – image by yusuftatliturk from Getty Images

Description

Arguably the most successful introduced species in North America. The European Starling population has grown to more than 200 million since the introduction of just 100 individuals into Central Park in 1890 and 1891.

Male birds are between 20.6 and 23.1 cm (8.1-9.1 in.) in length. They have glossy black plumage with white spots. Their feathers show iridescent green and purple in sunlight.

Female European starlings are slightly smaller at between 20.3 and 22.4 cm (8-8.8 in.) long and are similar in appearance to the males.

a European Starling standing on dry grass against a green background
European Starling – image by Michal Lutonsky/500 px from Getty Images

Calls

Starlings have an impressive range of sounds and even mimic other birds.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Jim Berry at Busti (near Jamestown), Chautauqua County, New York. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Brian Hendrix at Hendrix Habitat – Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee. From xeno-canto.org.

Alarm Call

Recorded by Sue Riffe in Lyons, Boulder County, Colorado. From xeno-canto.org.
European Starlings perched on a wire with more flying in the background
European Starlings on a wire – image by La_Corivo from Getty Images.

The next recording gives an impressive example of the starlings’ ability to mimic other species. At 0:07 this bird imitates a Northern Lapwing; at 0:16 you hear the alarm call of the European Robin and there are more calls copied following those:

Mimicry Example

Recorded by Beatrix Saadi-Varchmin in Kinderspielplatz Hagenheim/Hofstetten, Landsberg/Lech, Oberbayern, Bayern, Germany. From xeno-canto.org.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

European Starlings will sing or call at pretty much any time of the day. Most of their vocalization happens during the morning or evening.

You may also hear starlings calling while flying at night.

a flock of European Starlings flying in blue sky
A flock of European Starlings – image by MikeLane45 from Getty Images

Discover 20 common small birds of North America in this post here on the site.

5. Hairy Woodpecker

a Hairy Woodpecker perched on a log in the forest
Hairy Woodpecker – image by merceax from Getty Images

Description

Hairy Woodpeckers are hard to distinguish from Downy Woodpeckers as they both have very similar plumage.

There are three major differences between the hairy and downy woodpecker:

  1. Hairy Woodpeckers are larger (around 25 cm or 9.8 in.)
  2. Hairy Woodpeckers also have longer, heavier bills.
  3. They also lack the black spots Downy Woodpeckers have on their outer tail feathers.
a Downy Woodpecker on the left and a Hairy Woodpecker on the right. Arrows and text point out the differences in their bills and tail feathers.
Downy Vs Hairy Woodpecker

Another way to distinguish the two is that the red patch on the hairy woodpeckers in eastern North America is sometimes split in two.

the back of a Hairy Woodpecker's head showing how the red spot is split into two parts

Calls

Hairy Woodpeckers make a variety of different sounds comprised of simple notes and patterns of notes.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Don Jones at White Caps Campground, Lake Willoughby, Vermont. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Molly Jacobson at Beaver Brook Association – Brown Lane Barn, Hollis, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 3

Recorded by Craig R. Fosdick at Burgoyne Rd, Saratoga Co., NY. From xeno-canto.org.
a Hairy Woodpecker perched on a stump
Hairy Woodpecker – image by Brian Lasenby from Getty Images

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Hairy woodpeckers are most vocal in the morning after exiting from their roost. They are generally most vocal on warm days early in the Spring.

They will make sounds at night, especially drumming and also alarm calls.

6. Hooded Merganser

a male Hooded Merganser swimming
Hooded Merganser – image by gregvandeleest from Getty Images

Description

Hooded Mergansers can be found in rivers, lakes, and ponds in forested areas all across New England.

They are the smallest of three North American mergansers. Males measure around 43-49 cm (16.9-19.3 in.) and females are about 40-46 cm (15.7-18.1 in.) in length.

The males are stunning when in breeding plumage. Their heads and necks are black with white markings on either side of the crest. Their lower flanks are a rich reddish-brown or chestnut color and their chests and breasts are mostly white with dark markings.

a female Hooded Merganser swimming
Female Hooded Merganser – image by dhblac from Getty Images

Female hooded mergansers, aside from being smaller than the males, are mostly brown with a bushy brown crest.

Calls

Hooded mergansers are mostly quiet, though they will make sounds during courtship.

Male birds produce a frog-like sound that resembles the sound of the pickerel frog. This has earned them the nickname “frog duck” in Georgia.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Jim Berry at Harmony (near Panama), Chautauqua County, New York. Watts Flats Wildlife Management Area. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Russ Wigh at Skidaway Island, Chatham County, GA. From xeno-canto.org.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

The recorded calls on xeno-canto.org are mostly from the morning, starting at 6:22 AM and occurring at various times up until 11:00 AM.

As with most birds, hooded mergansers are quietest around midday.

The latest recording from xeno-canto was captured at 7:30 PM, indicating that these birds are probably mostly quiet during the night.

Discover the remarkable ways in which birds find water in this article here on the site.

7. Mallard

a male Mallard Duck swimming
Mallard – image by Geschenkpanda from Getty Images

The Mallard is one of the most familiar and widespread dabbling ducks. ‘Dabbling’ is the feeding technique ducks use whereby they tip headfirst into the water and feed from below the surface.

Male mallards are between 55 and 70 cm (21.7-27.6 in.) long and females are between 50 and 60 cm (19.7-23.6 in.).

As with most bird species, the males are the more colorful. Males in their breeding plumage have dark green heads, a white neck ring, and chestnut-brown breasts. Their upper parts are brownish-gray and they have gray plumage underneath.

Male mallards also have black central tail feathers and a brilliant blue to violet patch on their wings.

Female mallards have a streaky pattern of buff, white, gray, or black on brown feathers. Their underparts are pale and mottled and they also have the blue to violet patch framed by black and white on their wings.

a female Mallard Duck standing in reeds
A female Mallard Duck – image by Paul Reeves Photography from Getty Images.

Calls

Mallards are very vocal ducks. There are differences in the male and female calls.

Male Rasping Call

Recorded by Christopher McPherson at Beaver Brook Great Meadow, Hollis, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Female Call

Recorded by Daniel Parker at Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Sleepy Hollow, New York. From xeno-canto.org.

Female Flight Call

Recorded by Daniel Parker at Jane E. Lytle Arboretum (Croton Arboretum), Croton, New York. From xeno-canto.org.

Ducklings’ Call

Recorded by Will Sweet at Lake Massapoag, Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. From xeno-canto.org.
a male Mallard Duck raised up on the water flapping his wings
Male Mallard – image by christels from Pixabay

Time Of Day They Are Heard

You will hear the calls of Mallards all throughout the day, though they are most vocal during the early morning and late evening.

They will make flight calls while flying at night.

8. Mourning Dove

a Mourning Dove perched on a branch
Mourning Dove – image by erniedecker from Getty Images Signature

Description

Mourning Doves are very widespread across all New England states. Male birds are between 26.5 and 34 cm (10.4-13.4 in.) and female birds are around 22.5-31 cm (8.8-12.2 in.) in length.

Male and female mourning doves are very similar in coloring though the males are slightly more colorful.

These birds are grayish-blue or grayish-brown above and buffy below. They have black spots on their wings and behind their eyes.

a Mourning Dove standing on the ground
Mourning Dove – image by ArendTrent from Getty Images

Calls

Just like many pigeons and doves, the calls made by the mourning dove have a sexual context. The development of their calls is related to their sexual maturity.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Paul Marvin at Mt Mansfield, Vermont. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Christopher McPherson at Brookline, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 3

Recorded by Richard E. Webster at San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, Cochise County, Arizona. From xeno-canto.org.
a Mourning Dove perched on the branch of a pine tree
Mourning Dove – image by emprised from Getty Images.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Mourning doves are most vocal around half an hour before sunrise and will become less vocal after about one and half hours following sunrise.

They will again be vocal in the afternoon but not so much as in the morning. They are generally quiet during the night.

9. Northern Cardinal

a male Northern Cardinal perched on a branch
Male Northern Cardinal – image by MattCuda from Getty Images

Northern Cardinals are among the most abundant birds on the North American continent. They are common visitors year-round in most New England states.

Male cardinals are unmistakable with their bright red plumage and black face masks. Males are between 22.2 and 23.5 cm (8.7-9.2 in.) in length.

Female cardinals are a grayish-tan color with some red on their wings, tails, crests, faces, and breasts. They also have face masks but theirs are pale gray to black.

a female Northern Cardinal perched on a rock
Female Northern Cardinal – image by through-my-lens from Getty Images

Calls

The most common sound a northern cardinal will make is a chip sound. They have a variety of other calls also.

Chip Call

Recorded by Matthew Sabourin in Newton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Christopher McPherson in Brookline, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.
a Northern Cardinal perched in a tree
Northern Cardinal – image by Jonathan Carter from Getty Images.

Call Example 3

Recorded by David M. in Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 4

Recorded by David M. in Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. From xeno-canto.org.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Northern cardinals can be heard anytime throughout the day, though their vocalizing varies depending on the seasons.

a Northern Cardinal standing in the snow
Northern Cardinal – image by mirceax from Getty Images

Generally, they will sing after daybreak and before sunset. They have been reported to sing during the night from April to July in Tenessee and during spring and summer in Houston, Texas. As their vocalizing depends on both seasons and location, they may or may not be heard at night in New England.

The latest recording on xeno-canto.org was captured at 8:31 PM in Arlington, MA in June of 2016 which was just after sunset.

10. Northern Flicker

a Northern Flicker clinging to the trunk of a tree
Northern Flicker – image by mirceax from Getty Images

The final bird in this article is a member of the woodpecker family found year-round in all New England states.

The Northern Flicker is around 28-31 cm (11-12.2 in.) in length. Their upper feathers are grayish-brown with irregular black striping. Underneath, they are off-white with numerous black spots which appear as though they have been dabbed with a paintbrush.

a Northern Flicker perched on a rock
Northern Flicker – image by BirdImages from Getty Images Signature

As seen in the image above, northern flickers have a black crescent on their breast which also gives the impression it has been painted on.

The heads of male northern flickers are mostly gray with black whiskers and a red patch on the nape of the neck. They also have brown eyebrows.

There are two different species of northern flicker; the yellow-shafted and the red-shafted. This refers to the color of the underside of their tails.

on the left is a Yellow Shafted Northern Flicker. On the right is a Red-shafted Northern Flicker

Calls

Northern Flickers have a wide variety of calls in addition to the usual drumming and tapping of other woodpeckers.

Call Example 1

Recorded by Jorge de Leon Cardozo and Susan Hochgraf in Fenton River Meadows, Mansfield, Tolland County, Connecticut. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 2

Recorded by Ezekiel S. Jakub in Greenfield, MA. From xeno-canto.org.
a Northern Flicker crouched in grass
Northern Flicker – image by Hristin Velev from Getty Images.

Call Example 3

Recorded by Christopher McPherson in Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. From xeno-canto.org.

Call Example 4 (Two birds interracting)

Recorded by Richard E. Webster at Mesa El Campanero, Yécora, Sonora. From xeno-canto.org.

Time Of Day They Are Heard

Northern Flickers can be heard all throughout the day. They are mostly quiet at night bar the occasional drumming.

Judging from the time spread of xeno-canto recordings, they seem to begin vocalizing in the early morning and make their last calls for the day around dusk.

References


Barry Callister

Barry is a bird photographer and bird watcher with over 7 years of experience. He runs his own YouTube channel about photography and promotes his nature photography on his personal website barrycallisterphotography.com.au.

Recent Posts