West Michigan, "Burger King Bird" (1 Viewer)

[casualcat25]

For years, my family and I have heard a bird every summer that sounds as though it is calling out "Burger King", typically 4 times in a row. We have no idea of the size, shape, color, or know anything about the bird. To the best of my knowledge it sounds as though it's always in the trees.

Our back yard has lots of decent sized trees, mainly maple but also several pine trees among others.

We've just always called it the Burger King Bird and I have a friend several miles away who has done the same for years without us ever discussing it, so I'm sure we can't be the only ones.

I can't find anything on the internet regarding a Burger King Bird.
Please help us!

 

[rkj]

A bird that is likely a summer resident in your area that has a sharp three-note call is the Olive-sided Flycatcher. The call is more commonly rendered "Quick three beers", but at a stretch might be "Bur-ger King". The middle note has the highest pitch; if that fits your bird you might listen to some recordings at xeno-canto.org.

 

[Peter C.]

For years, my family and I have heard a bird every summer that sounds as though it is calling out "Burger King", typically 4 times in a row. We have no idea of the size, shape, color, or know anything about the bird. To the best of my knowledge it sounds as though it's always in the trees.

Please tell us more about the quality of the song - does the phrase come all in a rush, or slowly and deliberately? Do the four repetitions of the phase run together, or are there pauses?

Peter C.

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Carolina wren.

Most field guides list their song as "teakettle, teakettle, teakettle" but I personaly think of it as "Chee-burger, chee-burger, chee-burger" like in the old SNL skit.

 

[Peter C.]

Carolina wren.
Most field guides list their song as "teakettle, teakettle, teakettle" but I personaly think of it as "Chee-burger, chee-burger, chee-burger" like in the old SNL skit.

Pepsi! Cheeeps! :t:

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Jos Stratford]

For years, my family and I have heard a bird every summer that sounds as though it is calling out "Burger King"

Carolina wren.
"Chee-burger, chee-burger, chee-burger" .

Pepsi! Cheeeps!

Singing Burger King, cheeseburger and Pepsi, can only be an American bird! :t:

 

[casualcat25]

I appreciate the quick responses, but after listening to both the Carolina Wren and the Olive-Sided Flycatcher, I hear no resemblance to the bird I am looking for.

Each "Burger King" is separate from each other, but follows immediately one after another. I'm unsure as to how to describe the tones or pitches of it, other than it sounds just like you reading "Burger King, Burger King, Burger King, Burger King" aloud and slightly quicker than as if you were talking.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Ok, then. Try common yellowthroat.

 

[Peter C.]

With that phrasing, and in that habitat, I think Northern Cardinal (one variation on the song).

 

[howiewu]

Next time can you record it and post an audio?

I am terrible with transcribing, but could it be Eastern Towhee? The following link has an audio:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_towhee/id

Its sound is usually transcribed as "drink your tea", but with a stretch of imagination, I can see it as "bur-ger-ki". But it usually stays on or near the ground.

 

[kcbird27]

For years, my family and I have heard a bird every summer that sounds as though it is calling out "Burger King", typically 4 times in a row. We have no idea of the size, shape, color, or know anything about the bird. To the best of my knowledge it sounds as though it's always in the trees.

Our back yard has lots of decent sized trees, mainly maple but also several pine trees among others.

We've just always called it the Burger King Bird and I have a friend several miles away who has done the same for years without us ever discussing it, so I'm sure we can't be the only ones.

I can't find anything on the internet regarding a Burger King Bird.
Please help us!

This is crazy. I’ve been hearing this bird in west Michigan for like a year and cannot figure it out. Did you ever get an answer?