Songs of Western Birds

Donald J. Borror - Songs of Western Birds

LP released in 1971

From the liner notes:

With the assistance of this recording the birdwatcher or nature lover can learn to recognize the versatile songs of such species as the western meadowlark, the curve-billed thrasher, and Bell's vireo, as well as the simpler songs of other species. Prepared by Professor Donald J. Borror of the Departments of Entomology and Zoology of Ohio State University, this record reproduces the songs and calls of 60 different birds that are common in the western United States.
Because the identification of western birds is based largely on where the bird is found, Professor Borror, a widely acclaimed expert in animal sound responses, has arranged the bird songs by geographic area and habitat. The order of the songs is based on their increasing complexity. The listener learns to identify the different species by the general pattern and quality of the songs, the cadence of the songs, how the bird uses its song repertoire, and just where the bird is found. This careful and thorough treatment of the songs allows the listener a knowledge not only of the particular song, but of the general kind of song as well. A fine companion to Borror's previous Dover records (Common Bird Songs and Songs of Eastern Birds), this recording of bird songs offers both beginners and practiced bird lovers a start at becoming acquainted with the songs of all western birds.

Sorry, no booklet available.

Tracklisting:

SIDE ONE

1. Clark's Nutcracker, Steller's Jay, Oregon Junco, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Solitary Vireo {6:19}

2. Black-billed Magpie, Western Wood Pewee, Western Flycatcher, MacGillivray's Warbler, Rufous-sided Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee {4:54}

3. Clay-colored Sparrow, Black-throated Gray Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, House Finch, Black-headed Grosbeak {4:59}

4. Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Lark Bunting, Cassin's Sparrow, Baird's Sparrow, Western Meadowlark {5:23}

5. Willet, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Long-billed Curlew, Yellow-headed Blackbird {3:53}

SIDE TWO

1. Pauraque, Chachalaca, Great-tailed Crackle, Blackcrested Titmouse, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Painted Bunting {5:29}

2. Ash-throated Flycatcher, White-winged Dove, Cactus Wren, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher {5:29}

3. Vermilion Flycatcher, Wied's Crested Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Olive Sparrow, Brown Towhee, Lucy's Warbler, Bell's Vireo {6:06}

4. Mexican Jay, Cassin's Kingbird, Mexican Junco, Scott's Oriole, Rufous-crowned Sparrow {4:06}

5. White-throated Swift, Canon Wren, Rock Wren, Coues' Flycatcher, Olive Warbler, Grace's Warbler {4:16}

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Songs of Eastern Birds

Donald J. Borror - Songs of Eastern Birds

It appears that the bird songs album posted last Sunday received a good reception, so the nature/environmental Sunday postings will go on. There was also an unexpected treat provided by H.C. Earwicker in the middle of last week which is Peter Szöke's The Unknown Music of Birds.

Here's info from the liner notes:

This record contains the songs of 60 species of birds all of which are common in at least some sections of Eastern United States, either as breeding species or migrants. All recordings were made in the field by the author, a noted bird watcher and ornithologist.

The songs have been arranged on 10 bands in more or less increasing order of complexity, with similar songs or calls together on the same band so they may be more easily compared. Thus, the first band begins with relatively simple songs, most of which appear to be a single note or phrase, while the last band contains complex songs, most of which are relatively loud with a whistled or warbled quality, and some of which are quite long.

The emphasis is on songs typical to the species, but as Professor Borror notes in the introduction to the accompanying booklet, variations often occur in the songs of a single individual, from individual to individual, and also due to factors of maturity and season. For this reason, recordings of two or more individuals are included for almost all species, and in some cases the songs of immatures or migrants are also given. Each example is from a different bird, and they are designated on the record by numbers. In this way the listener can obtain a good idea of all aspects of a species' song or call pattern.

Accompanying the record is a 32-page booklet also prepared by Professor Borror. Here you will find ornithological material on the characteristics, function, and production of song for each species, as well as an appendix giving sound spectrographs and place of each recording. Each bird is pictured in a black-and-white drawing.

The bird watcher should find this a valuable set, indeed, particularly as poor lighting, densely forested or inaccessible areas, and the similar appearance of some species make visual identification difficult in some cases.

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Chuck-will's-widow, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, American Woodcock, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Grackle, Henslow's Sparrow {5:16}

2. Worm-eating Warbler, Pine Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Dickcissel, Long-billed Marsh Wren {6:57}

3. Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Sora, Common Gallinule, Common Tern, Herring Gull {4:55}

4. Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker {3:00}

5. Starling, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat {6:26}

Side Two

1. White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler {3:42}

2. Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Waterthrush {5:41}

3. Bachman's Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, Fox Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler, Canada Warbler {4:44}

4. Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Gray-checked Thrush, Veery, Solitary Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo {4:46}

5. Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, Western Meadowlark, Horned Lark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Lark Sparrow {7:27}

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