If you’re reading this on your phone, I would suggest you switch to a computer or tablet so you can listen to the bird calls using a QR Code Reader App on your phone.
Every morning I wake up to bird songs filling the air announcing the day, but more importantly right now, Springtime. When I sit outside in early evening, I can hear birds calling as they defend their territories or look for mates.
Here in Arizona we have the cutest little birds scurrying down the road or from sage bush to mesquite tree. They’re called Gambel’s Quail, named in honor of William Gambel, a naturalist and explorer of the Southwest. They stay close to the ground, but sometimes in Spring, the males call from the tops of tile roofs or block walls. These little flirts are beckoning for a mate. If they’re lucky, a female will answer with her song. Here is a bachelor calling for a new wife.
You’ll notice a cluster of feathers on top of The Gambel’s Quail head. This is known as a topknot, and Mother Nature placed that king-like plume there to attract females. The main character in my book, Quincy the Quail, has a very long topknot that flops in front of his eyes.
Once upon a time, a Great Horned Owl resided in my neighborhood. He sat in one of our tall palm trees in the front yard. I actually enjoyed listening to his hoot at midnight while I was at my desk grading papers. Use your QR Code Reader App and scan this QR Code to hear the Great Horned Owl’s distinctive hoot.
Once in the middle of the day I thought my Great Horned had returned, but I was mistaken because owls only hoot at night. After some research, I discovered it was a Mourning Dove, who’s cooing can be very similar to an owl’s hoot.
Much to the annoyance of non-nocturnal humans, single male Mockingbirds sing their love songs at night to attract a mate. Don’t be too irritated with the Northern Mockingbird. They’ll rid your yard of pesky insects by eating grasshoppers, ants, wasps, and spiders, to name a few. I don’t have any QR Codes with Mockingbird calls, yet. But I’m planning on writing a picture book soon with a pesky Mockingbird as the main character. Stay tuned.
In keeping with my Springtime nesting theme this month, I am offering my book QUINCY THE QUAIL AND THE MYSTERIOUS EGG as a free kindle download on Amazon for three days, March 27-29, 2020. Quincy and his mate Quella have just set up housekeeping with their own nest when a strange egg plops down next to theirs. What will they do with it, and what is inside the egg? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Here’s a hint: you’ll be able to hear both the Gambel’s Quail call and a Great Horned Owl hoot using that QR Code Reader App I had you download on your phone earlier.
If you’d like to purchase a paperback, you can buy it from my website for a discounted price of $10. This offer is only good through March 29, 2020. I will refund the difference between $10 what you paid for it after your purchase.