If you want to see one of these little celebrities, don’t be that person staring up at trees with binoculars upside down. We’ve all been there, don’t lie. Instead, listen for their calls. The Eastern Towhee sings a song that sounds like it’s screaming “DRINK YOUR TEEEEAAA!” No joke, that’s the official description in bird books. The American Redstart has a high-pitched, squeaky “zwee-zwee-zwee” that sounds like a tiny rusty door hinge. Once you hear it, you’ll never un-hear it. It’s hilarious.
Photos and Videos for American Redstart, All About Birds, Cornell Lab
And here’s a pro tip: set up a small birdbath. These birds are obsessed with bathing. They will splash around like toddlers in a puddle, fluffing up that orange belly and looking absolutely ridiculous. I put out a shallow dish last week, and within an hour, my window-crasher was back, giving me side-eye while flapping his wings. I felt like a VIP host at a bird spa.
The existential takeaway
So why do we care so much about a tiny black bird with a splash of orange? I think it’s because they remind us that life is full of unexpected flash. You go about your day, staring at screens, worrying about deadlines, and then—bam—a miniature superhero wearing a tuxedo with a pumpkin belly slams into your window and reminds you that the world is weird, loud, and beautiful. They’re not rare, but they feel special. And that’s the point. Next time you see one, don’t just glance. Watch it. It might wag its tail at you. Or scream. Either way, you’ll be better for it. Trust me, I’m a guy who now owns three bird feeders and a pair of binoculars that live on my coffee table. No shame.
