Mnemonics – What is That?

When birdwatchers want to identify a bird, many times all they are able to do is hear it. Can you listen to a bird and know what kind it is? Some birders use a help called “mnemonics.”

hen birdwatchers want to identify a bird, many times all they are able to do is hear it. Can you listen to a bird and know what kind it is? Some birders use a help called “mnemonics.”

(Definition of mnemonics from Kids Wordsmyth)

mne·mon·ics
pronunciation: ni ma nihks [or] nih ma nihks
part of speech: plural noun
definition: a process, system, or technique used to aid and improve the memory.

Many birds say their name, like a Eastern Wood Pewee.

Carolina Chickadee – “feebee feebay, chick’adee-dee-dee”

Blue Jay – -“jay”

Another way mnemonics are used is to make up a phrase or saying of what the bird sounds like.

Carolina Wren – “teakettle, teakettle, teakettle”

Eastern Towhee – “drink-your-teeee”

White-Throated Sparrow – “poor Sam Pea’body, Pea’body, Pea’body”

This is just an introduction to using “mnemonics” to help you find out what that neat bird your listening to is called. We will cover more birds later. The Lord has given us so many beautiful birds to watch and listen to. Each bird has it’s own songs and calls, but there are so many. How do we figure out who is who? Using this method is just one more way to help.

Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. (Proverbs 8:33 ESV)

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, (Proverbs 1:5 ESV)

See:

• Mnemonic Bird Songs

• Songs and Calls – All About Birds

• Bird Song Mnemonics & Phonetics

• Start Birdwatching Today: What is that Sound?

• Birds Vol 1 #6 – Bird Song 1

• More Birdwatching Terms

•  Wordless Birds – Hummingbirds