WHAT’S YOUR “SPARK” BIRD??
Answers from some avid BHAS Birders
Why are YOU interested in birds? Below we continue our series of articles on which birds “sparked” individuals to become birders. This very question was presented to the monthly “Birds & Brew” gang and here is one of their answers.
Danielle Thompson, an enthusiastic birder and Birds & Brew member, wrote:
“My spark bird is the Varied Thrush. I first heard (not saw) this amazing bird on a hike in the Commonwealth Basin (near Snoqualmie Pass). I was just amazed by its beautiful ethereal call resounding out during the day. I just had to find out what was making that call. Now I’m happy to report that we have had our biggest and longest stay of Varied Thrushes in our backyard last winter!”
Fun Fact: One of the first ever birdsong recordings was of another member of the Varied Thrush’s family (Turdidae): the White-rumped Shama. A gentleman by the name of Ludwig Koch from Germany recorded this captive bird in 1889 using an Edison wax cylinder.
Listen to its call here: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/217557971
Check out a YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP4kQfFQ2e8&ab_channel=AmericanBirdConservancy
Share your own “spark” bird with us—-you may well inspire others!
Email Stephaniemrrs2gmail.com
By Stevie Morris
Photo credit: Varied Thrush, by Rachel Hudson.
