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

Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). 

North America’s best-known brood parasite.  
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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...
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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’...
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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...
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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...

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Episode 22: Morning Cicada – Voice of the Wild

Morning Cicada (Neotibicen tibicen). 

As the name suggests, this insect sings only in the morning. It begins its rattling broadcast just after the late summer sun has cooked the cool of the night out of the low vegetation it tends to prefer. This cicada has...
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Episode 20: American Goldfinch – Voice of the Wild

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). 

The American goldfinch’s jumbled song is a staple of warm mornings and hot summer afternoons. In the cold months they visit hanging finch feeders, the drooping heads of last year’s sunflowers, and sometimes join in with Pine...
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Episode 19: Indigo Bunting – Voice of the Wild

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). 

While the Indigo Bunting is named for the breeding male’s exceptionally blue plumage, the female’s plumage is also exceptional; a rich fawn brown. Look for the Indigo Bunting in hedgerows, forest edges, and other savannalike...
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Episode 18: Field Sparrow – Voice of the Wild

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). 

The Field Sparrow perseveres even when oppressive heat drives all the other birds to silence. Some remember the field sparrow’s song as a ping-pong ball dropped on a table. If the Field Sparrow isn’t calling, look for the its...
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Episode 17: Gray Catbird – Voice of the Wild

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). 

A mimid, this slate-gray bird copies from its neighbors and sings a mishmash of the whole neighborhood’s songs all from one spot. The Gray catbird is a bit of a lurker, often sticking to the low brush and the back of...
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Episode 16: House Wren – Voice of the Wild

House wren (Troglodytes aedon). 

The House wren adds brightness to backyards, woods, and urban forests with its bubbly song that seems to stumble over its own urgency. The house wren can be found in Illinois from spring to fall. A small but bold nester, it takes readily to...
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Keywords
Wildlife
Birds
Native Plants
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