The distinct songs of birds help a birder with identification and location often before the bird comes into view. Their beautiful sounds have inspired music, literature, movies,  and poetry.

Of course, birds also have more personal and practical reasons for singing.  Territory is established and courtship begins. "Back off!"" Please pick me, I'll be a good mate and companion.""Hey, I protecting my family here!"

Other vocalizations frequently made by birds are short calls. These are also quite effective communications. They talk to their companions, their dependent offspring, and some keep contact with fellow flock members. Protection calls show aggression and alarm calls shout warnings.

These gray birds produce varied vocalizations:

Tufted Titmouse - loud, clear "peter, peter, peter"
Dark-eyed Junco - simple, rapid and melodic twitter
Red-breasted Nuthatch - high pitched, nasal and rapid series of "yank, yank, yank, yank, yank"
White-breasted Nuthatch - rapid, nasal and ascending "hah, hah, hah, etc."
Eastern Phoebe - repetition of its name, last one a drawn out "fee beee"
Robin - loud, clear, melodious whistles with pauses in up and down pattern "cheerily, cheer
                up, cheerio"
Gray Catbird - squeaks, whistles, chatters, gurgles and mimics pieces of songs from other             
                birds and local noises, and puts a plaintive cat "mew" somewhere in the series