Propaganda Party: The Pop Stalin Design Manifesto

7 Comments | May 26 | General

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night

I’ve been wanting to write a post about this for about a week now so I figured no time like the present. Since the weather has warmed up in Virginia, there has been a new occurrence outside my open windows, a lone bird singing. Now I know what you must be thinking at this moment, “That’s what birds do, the sun comes up and they start singing” and you’d be right, that’s what most birds do. Well, my particular bird appears to be nocturnal. He only starts banging on around 1:00-1:30 AM. Last night as I lay on the couch trying to fall asleep, I deciced instead of counting sheep, I’d try to count how many different warbles my annoying new neighbor has. I got up to twenty-three before getting bored. He doesn’t shut up once he starts either; earlier in the week he was going on until 5:00 AM, which is when I finally fell off, and he really did not stop, I’m not exaggerating his tenacity.

I’m glad he’s happy and communicating with whomever he’s communicating with but it would be nice if he’d do it at a more suitable time of the day like all the other birds do. I suppose he’s a rebel though so I should take comfort in that. Right?

P.S. I don’t know that he’s a blackbird, I don’t know what kind of bird he is ’cause it’s dark and all so I can’t see him. Of course, even if I could see him, I still wouldn’t know what kind of bird he is.

Viva la Bird!

 

7 People Have Bloviated

  1. David Airey :: Graphic Design Edinburgh :: | May 26

    Funny you should write about this today.

    Last night I was climbing into bed here in Northern Ireland at 4:30am, just when the birds began singing.

    I was going to close the bedroom window so I could sleep better, but thought to myself, “Why not just listen for a while?”

    There’s something calming about the song of the bird. Natural.

  2. Pop Stalin | May 26

    My bird started shortly after 1 AM this morning and when I finally fell off around 6 he was still going. How he doesn’t go hoarse I’ll never know.

    Ireland eh? Gotta say I’m a wee bit jealous. Maybe someday I’ll get across the Atlantic.

  3. Steve Tucker | May 29

    Liking that inspired title, Jen :) Like you say though – (s)he probably ain’t a blackbird.

    Can you not close your windows at night? Or is the weather too hot state-side?

  4. Pop Stalin | May 29

    Thanks! It was like an epiphany or maybe I was listening to The Beatles at the time. :)

    Much too hot state side for window closing—today it’s only going to be 82 (27 for those on the other side of the pond) as opposed to the 90’s it has been. I refuse to use the air conditioner at this point.

  5. Brenna | Jun 22

    I just googled “bird singing at night and Massachusetts,” and stumbled upon this blog. I’ve also been hearing a lone bird singing 4 or so different calls at night, starting around 1AM. Sounds like it it must span from at least VA to MA.

  6. Brenna | Jun 22

    In case you’re interested, here’s what I found:

    Reports of birds singing at night can usually be attributed to a lone mockingbird sounding off from the top of a tree, TV antenna, or chimney. Inevitably, there are those who are entranced by the song and those who are disturbed by it.

    IDENTIFICATION
    The Northern Mockingbird is about the size of a robin but slimmer. It is medium gray with lighter gray on the breast, and darker gray wings and tail. Patches of white on the wings and edges of the tail are visible when the bird is in flight.

    NATURAL HISTORY
    Since the mid-1950s, several “southern” birds have moved into Massachusetts and taken up residence. Perhaps the most famous and vocal is the Northern Mockingbird.

    Mockingbirds, often called mimic thrushes, are in the same family as Gray Catbirds and Brown Thrashers. The family name, Mimidae, means mimic or imitator. Experts have identified the vocalizations of almost 40 birds, as well as a creaking door, barking dog and whistling mailcarrier.

    One of reasons people notice mockingbirds is because they are frequently heard singing in urban and suburban neighborhoods at night. The male virtuoso sings his repertoire anytime day or night to attract a female. This behavior occurs during breeding season in late spring and early summer.

  7. Hortilus | Mar 22

    It’s relatively quiet at noon today in Northern Virginia, but during some warmer nights birds of the night decide to hold a free concert in the wooded area along the stream. Since one cannot see which birds are singing almost non-stop, I am puzzled why they chose the night for their performance. As a group/flock, they certainly have perseverance.
    I am looking forward to the toad/frog concerts, come June/July.