Voice of the Wild

University of Illinois Extension
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Voice of the Wild

Wildlife is all around us. Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild song. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension natural resources, environment, and energy program.

  1. Episode 30: Dark-Eyed Junco – Voice of the Wild

    2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 30: Dark-Eyed Junco – Voice of the Wild

    Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis).  Fleeing the chill of the arctic winter, the junco arrives in the Midwest just as our winds get brisk and the leaves start turning. Look for their little pale bill and white-edged tail as they pick beneath birdfeeders and flit around winter woodlands, cemeteries, and parks.  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen online on our Homepage    The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  Dark-eyed junco song by Wil Hershberger (ML509728)Dark-eyed junco second song by Wil Hershberger (ML509729)Dark-eyed junco call by Matt Wistrand (XC606100) Dark-eyed junco second call by Matt Wistrand (XC609231) Sources and more:  https://xeno-canto.org/606100 https://xeno-canto.org/609231 https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-Eyed_Junco/ https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco Dobson, Colin et al. Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois. Champaign-Urbana: Scissortail LLC, 2023. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film. Peterson, Roger Tory, and Virginia Marie Peterson. A Field Guide to the Birds: A Completely New Guide to All the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980. Print. Sibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print

    3 min
  2. Episode 29: White-Throated Sparrow – Voice of the Wild

    OCT 25

    Episode 29: White-Throated Sparrow – Voice of the Wild

    White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).  A big sparrow with unexpected biology and an easy song mnemonic. Look for the yellow spot just ahead of its eye, the namesake white throat, and white or tan stripes over the head. The white-throated sparrow arrives in the fall and is common throughout the winter and into early spring.  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter Listen online on our Homepage   The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  White-throated sparrow song by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML509672)White-throated sparrow call by Lewis Kibler (ML509692)White-throated sparrow second call by Wil Hershberger (ML509694)Sources and more:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/  https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-throated-sparrow   Arnold C. 2016. The sparrow with four sexes. Nature. 539(7630):482–484. https://doi.org/10.1038/539482a.Beadle D, Rising Jim. 2002. Sparrows of the United States and Canada : the photographic guide. San Diego: Natural World.Dobson, Colin et al. Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois. Champaign-Urbana: Scissortail LLC, 2023. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film. Peterson, Roger Tory, and Virginia Marie Peterson. A Field Guide to the Birds: A Completely New Guide to All the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980. Print. Sibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print. Tuttle EM, Bergland AO, Korody ML, et al. 2016. Divergence and Functional Degradation of a Sex Chromosome-like Supergene. Current Biology. 26(3):344–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.11.069.

    3 min
  3. Episode 28: White-Crowned Sparrow – Voice of the Wild

    OCT 18

    Episode 28: White-Crowned Sparrow – Voice of the Wild

    White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).  A handsome winter visitor with a crisp cap and a sweet whistle. Look for them starting in October in undisturbed brushy habitats and neighborhoods with good, shrubby cover. While the white-crowned sparrow has different regional dialects, the ones found in the Midwest should sound similar to the primary song and call at the beginning of the episode. To hear the alternate songs, you’ll have to travel farther north or west across the continent.  Cornell’s sound page for the white-crowned sparrow: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/sounds  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen online on our Homepage    The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  White-crowned Sparrow song by Arthur A. Allen and Peter Paul Kellogg (ML509702) White-crowned Sparrow call by Wil Hershberger (ML509703) White-crowned Sparrow alternate song #1 by Arthur A. Allen and David G. Allen (ML509709) White-crowned Sparrow alternate song #2 by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML509704) White-crowned Sparrow alternate song #3 by Leonard J. Peyton (ML509705)   Sources and more:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/ https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-crowned-sparrow Dobson, Colin et al. Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois. Champaign-Urbana: Scissortail LLC, 2023. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film. Peterson, Roger Tory, and Virginia Marie Peterson. A Field Guide to the Birds: A Completely New Guide to All the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980. Print. Sibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print.

    3 min
  4. Episode 27: Eastern Bluebird – Voice of the Wild

    OCT 11

    Episode 27: Eastern Bluebird – Voice of the Wild

    Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).  The beloved Eastern Bluebird is a conservation success story that shows the huge impact of dedicated conservation and stewardship actions. The bird’s musical and somewhat variable churring can be heard in scrubby meadows and forest clearings, especially when there are dead snags with old woodpecker holes present (or well-kept birdhouses.)  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen online on our Homepage    The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  Eastern Bluebird song by Gregory Budney (ML508598)  Eastern Bluebird Chattering Calls by Wil Hershberger (ML508605)  Eastern Bluebird call by William Evans (ML508606)    Sources and more:  https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/bluebird.htm https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/vertebrates/european-starlinghttps://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-bluebird https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_bluebird/overview Sibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print. Peterson, Roger Tory, and Virginia Marie Peterson. A Field Guide to the Birds: A Completely New Guide to All the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film.

    3 min
  5. Episode 26: Cedar Waxwing – Voice of the Wild

    OCT 4

    Episode 26: Cedar Waxwing – Voice of the Wild

    Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).  The Cedar Waxwing’s high-pitched call is often heard coming from hungry flocks visiting a local stand of fruit-bearing trees. Look out for their crisp black mask, strong yellow stripe at the end of their tail, and their courtship display of passing a berry back and forth!  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen online on our Homepage    The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  Cedar Waxwing song by Wil Hershberger (ML508854)  Cedar Waxwing staccato song by Sally F. Hoyt (ML508857)  Cedar Waxwing flock call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML508855)    Sources and more:  https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/cedar-waxwinghttps://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cedar_waxwing/overviewSibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film.

    2 min
  6. Episode 25: Belted Kingfisher – Voice of the Wild

    SEP 27

    Episode 25: Belted Kingfisher – Voice of the Wild

    Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon).  A kingfisher perched along the edge of a lake or stream is a common sight for anglers – besides perching, the kingfisher can also hover a few meters above the surface of the water as it watches for little fish. While you’re listening for their clattering call, keep an eye out for the females; they’re the ones with the orange band across their chest.  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen online on our Homepage    The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:  Belted Kingfisher call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML507256)  Sources and more:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/belted-kingfisher Sibley, David. Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Second edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Print. Peterson, Roger Tory, and Virginia Marie Peterson. A Field Guide to the Birds: A Completely New Guide to All the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Fourth edition, completely revised and enlarged. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980. Print. Dobson, Colin et al. Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois. Champaign-Urbana: Scissortail LLC, 2023. Print. Godfrey, Michael A, John Farrand, and Roger Tory Peterson. Videoguide to the Birds of North America. New York, N.Y: MasterVision, 1985. Film.

    2 min
  7. Episode 24: Greater Anglewing – Voice of the Wild

    SEP 20

    Episode 24: Greater Anglewing – Voice of the Wild

    Greater Anglewing, (Microcentrum rhombifolium). Appropriately named, the greater anglewing has curiously rhombus-shaped wingcovers. These clicking insects emerge a few weeks after the common true katydids and add a strange stone-tapping sound to the grinding chorus of other night singers.  Thank you to Wil Hershberger for letting us use the insect calls from SongsofInsects.com.  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen on our Homepage  Sources and more:  http://songsofinsects.com/katydids/greater-anglewing https://bugguide.net/node/view/6891 Guide to night singing insects of the northeast by John Himmelman

    4 min
  8. Episode 23: Dog-Day Cicada – Voice of the Wild

    SEP 13

    Episode 23: Dog-Day Cicada – Voice of the Wild

    Dog-day cicada (Neotibicen canicularis).  While canicularis is the insect most associated with the “dog-day” name, that common name is shared by several species. If the northern dog-day cicada doesn’t sound like what you learned as the dog day cicada, check out episode 15 on Neotibicen pruinosis; that’s the one I learned to call dog-day cicada in central Illinois. https://voiceofthewild.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-15-scissor-grinder-cicada-voice-of-the-wild  Thank you to Wil Hershberger for letting us use the insect calls from SongsofInsects.com.  Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. We’re available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Subscription links Here  Subscribe to the Newsletter  Listen on our Homepage  Sources and more:  http://songsofinsects.com/cicadas/dog-day-cicada https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/neotibicen-canicularis-harris-1841-aka-dog-day-cicada/ https://bugguide.net/node/view/12461

    2 min
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About

Wildlife is all around us. Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild song. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension natural resources, environment, and energy program.

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  • Creator
    University of Illinois Extension
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 University of Illinois
  • Show Website
    Voice of the Wild

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