Gray Day Grosbeak

Such a handsome bird.

We have two grosbeaks out back. Maybe it’s a territorial thing, but one of them seems to be singing nonstop. He sang all day Saturday. He sang all afternoon yesterday. He started just before 4:00 this morning, singing again.

Unlike some of the warblers and other birds who throw their heads back and open their beaks wide when they sing, he doesn’t open his beak very far. But his throat puffs out, and he turns his head from side to side.

For the first time, I really get it — the description of a grosbeak’s song as being “like a robin who’s had voice lessons.” It certainly cheers me  to hear him in this run of overcast days.

I’m trying to think of suitable words for his song. Occasionally, when the robin sings just before it starts to rain, I can hear in its song,

Betterget

IN-side —

Hurryup!

Hurryup!

I’m not sure what I hear in the grosbeak’s song, though.