This is Bird Note.

Today, winter still holds sway over much of North America.

Trees are bare.

Spring wildflowers, and the songs of most birds are still months away.

But well south of the equator, in Argentina, it's summer, and birds are in full

voice. Argentina's national bird, the Rufus Hornero, belts out a rapid trill. It's a rusty brown

bird, the size of a toi.

From the woods nearby, a lovely song breaks forth.

It's a rufous-bellied thrush, a near look-alike of our Robin.

In northeastern Argentina,

a strange sound echoes through the mountain forest.

It's a male red-ruffed fruit crow booming out its display calls.

Although black and crow-sized, with a gleaming red chest, the fruit crow is no kin to our crows,

but a cousin of South American bellbirds.

Finally, the cheerful, bubbly notes of an ultramarine gross beak.

Are a reminder that our spring, and the arrival of birds like the rose-breasted gross beak isn't too far off.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.