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. Subscribe for email updates at go.illinois.edu/SubscribeVoiceofWild.
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Latest Episode

Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). 

The plain little backyard bird with high, sweet songs. 

Episode 73: Blue Jay – Voice of the Wild

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). 

A common corvid with a big vocabulary. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore...
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Episode 72: Fall Field Cricket – Voice of the Wild

Fall field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus). 

The big cricket that sings in late summer and fall. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the...
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Episode 71: Round-Tipped Conehead – Voice of the Wild

Round-tipped conehead (Neoconocephalus retusus). 

A conehead katydid with a continuous buzzy call.

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild...
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Episode 70: Lesser Anglewing – Voice of the Wild

Lesser anglewing (Microcentrum retinerve). 

The katydid with a quick rasping rattle. 

Minor correction for this episode: only the male lesser anglewing will have the brown patch on the back.
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Episode 69: Sound Key to Common Katydids – Voice of the Wild

Twelve Common Katydids in the Midwest 

Twelve katydids are common in the Midwest. This episode can be used as a key to identify them by their sound. http://songsofinsects.com/ is the source of most of the...
Transcript

Episode 68: Walker’s Cicada – Voice of the Wild

Walker’s Cicada (Megatibicen pronotalis). 

The big cicada with a loud, slowly pulsed song. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild...
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Episode 67: Sound Key to Common Annual Cicadas – Voice of the Wild

Sound Key to the Six Common Annual Cicadas of the Midwest

Six annual cicada species are common in the Midwest. This episode can be used as a key to identify them by their sound. http://songsofinsects.com/ is the source...
Transcript

Episode 66: Linne’s Cicada – Voice of the Wild

Linne’s Cicada (Neotibicen linnei). 

The annual cicada with a wavering crescendo said to sound akin to a salt shaker. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises?...
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Episode 65: Chimney Swift – Voice of the Wild

Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica).

The insectivore that skitters across the summer sky.
Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a...
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Episode 64: Lyric Cicada – Voice of the Wild

Lyric Cicada (Neotibicen lyricen).

The annual cicada with a consistent, unpulsed tone.

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to...
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