This is Bird Note.

Ever wonder how birds were named?

Some, such as the Wilson's Snipe, were named for people, others for a distinguishing physical characteristic,

like the spotted toi, and some for geographic locations like the California quail.

In a few cases, the bird's song or vocalization is incorporated. and some for geographic locations like the California quail.

In a few cases, the bird's song or vocalization is incorporated into its name.

Let's listen to a few birds that call their names.

Do you recognize this chickadee-dee-dee call?

That's the black-capped chickadee.

How about the bobwhite?

The northern bobwhite.

Listen again.

And this bird?

The kill deer is a common shore bird that often uses this alarm call when predators approach its nest. And finally, a bird you might hear in the open, arid areas of the west and Midwest.

It's the common poor will, a nocturnal hunter of insects.

The easiest way to locate this species is to listen for its call.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.