Voice of the Wild University of Illinois Extension

Learn the song and call of the Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). 
A flash of black and white in a low brush pile is likely to be this robin-sized sparrow, and if you see a pair arresting dark red eyes peeking out from that dense tangle, you’ll know for sure. This bird has rufous sides and a white belly; features that stand out on otherwise dark plumage. Males display this dark plumage as a deep black, while females express it as an earthy brown. Be sure to remember to “drink your tea!” 
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. 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. 
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 Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 
ML509431 and ML509435 by Wil Hershberger 

Headphones on! In our first bonus episode we won’t be hearing an animal’s song and learning its voice. Instead, we’ll be giving voice to a tree. We’ll be hearing about Platanus occidentalis, the American Sycamore, and it starts with a walk through the woods… 
Do you want to learn bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. 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. 
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 
Subscription links Here 
Subscribe to the Newsletter 
Listen online on our Homepage 
This episode was written and recorded by Brodie Dunn. 
The following Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 
Yellow-throated Warbler - ML509298 by Mike Andersen 
Pine Sisken single call - ML510254 by Dave Herr 
Pine Sisken flock - ML510252 by Geoffrey A. Keller 
American Goldfinch call - ML510278 by Wil Hershberger 
Great Blue Heron call - ML505864 by Randolph Little and James Kimball

Learn the song and call of the Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) 
This bird is an early migrant and it often serenades the spring ephemerals from the tops of sycamores. It likes the tall trees of the bottomlands and its song is clear and graceful even when heard from the trail far below. It has a black triangular mask, but the bright yellow of its throat is its most striking feature; so bright and so yellow it looks like someone’s taken a highlighter to it. 
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. 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. 
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube 
Subscription links Here 
 
Subscribe to the Newsletter 
Voice of the Wild Homepage 
 
The following Macaulay Library recordings were used in today’s episode: 
ML509302 by Geoffrey A. Keller and ML509303 by Randolph Little and James Kimball 

Learn the song and call of the Palm warbler (Setophaga palmarum). 
It's easy to get a look at this warbler as it prefers to mingle in mixed flocks on the ground. You might mistake it for a sparrow at first, but it bobs its tail as it forages and it has yellow on its face and rump. In the spring adults have a chestnut-colored cap. This warbler sounds a little like a chipping sparrow but you can tell it's different because of how buzzy it is; it almost sounds digital. 
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. 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. 
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube 
Subscription links Here 
 
Subscribe to the Newsletter 
Voice of the Wild Homepage 
 
The following Macaulay Library recordings were used in today’s episode: 
ML509272 by Matthew D. Medler, ML509265 by Geoffrey A. Keller, and ML509268 by Linda Macaulay

Learn the song and call of the Northern Parula (Setophaga americana).
This bird forages at the top of the canopy so it can be hard to spot. Luckily, it's easy to hear. It calls with gusto, often ending an ascending trill with a loud hiccup. Getting a close look at the bird is worth the effort. It's among the most ostentatious of our migratory warblers: A blue head and back, bright wingbars, yellow under the bill, and a partial eyering that puts a white dot above and below each eye. Males even have a dark band across on their front, sometimes with a bit of orange in it. It's an absolute mess of color and a joy to behold. 
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. 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.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscription links Here 
 
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Voice of the Wild Homepage
 
The following Macaulay Library recordings were used in today’s episode:
ML509167 by Robert C. Stein and William W. H. Gunn, ML509169 by Gregory Budney, and ML509171 by Randolph Little and James Kimball 

Learn the song and call of the Wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina).
This bird is in the same taxonomic family as the American Robin. It’s migratory and its breeding range includes all of Illinois. You might find it deep in the woods, where its speckled chest is striking against the dense backdrop of leaves. Its soft, multitone song is the favorite of many (including me.) 
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. 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.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscription links Here 
 
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Voice of the Wild Homepage
 
The following Macaulay Library recordings were used in today’s episode:
ML508708 and ML508716 by Wil Hershberger