HUSK

2 - Invisible singers of the foliage

Many songbirds live in the canopy. Most of the time, only their distinctive song gives away their presence, and they are rarely seen. Let's get to know them!

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

The rapid, rattling song of the chaffinch can be heard in almost every forests from early spring onwards. Formerly, the chaffinch has been a popular and appreciated cage-bird prized for its beautiful song. As a protected species it is prohibited to be held in captivity today, but we can still delight in its trilling song in nature. When feeling danger, it utters a short metallic „pink” call.

Source

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

The songbird called blackcap lives in shrubberies and forests with dense underlay. Its song consists of two parts: the prologoue is a quiet, soft chirping that contains various song mimics, then closes with a sonorous fluty melody. The bird sings in dense vegetation, its sound can be heard from April onwards. The male can be easily identified by the black cap on his head, although he is hardly seen. Noticing the female is more difficult, as the top of the head is chestnut brown coloured. In case of danger, the blackcap makes a „teck-teck” alarm call, like other warblers.

Source

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

This small-sized songbird hops skillfully in the shrub layer and on the thin branches of the foliage, so it is hardly seen. The chiffchaff”s song is a monotonous repetition of two or three notes. Actually, the name of the bird refers to these typical sounds. The chiffchaff is an abundant nesting species of gallery forests with dense undergrowth, but its presence is usually only revealed by its call.

Source

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Compared to its relatives, this largest finch species cannot be described as a master of singing. Its very simple, wirey „chick” sound can often be heard in forests, but the bird itself can be spotted less frequently. It moves in smaller or larger flocks until breeding season starts, and also likes to forms groups right after juveniles left the nest. Hawfinches usually stay high in the foliage, so they can be detected more likely only by their song.

Source