cooOOoo-wooo. woo-woooo

folks, we have our bracket!

SO, here’s how it’s going to work:

tumblr has an upload limit for audio files. i want to include audio files so that everyone can participate regardless of how much they already know about bird calls. SO

we’re going to do a rolling release of each match-up for round one. new matches will drop every day 12 pm est, around 6 each day. polls will be 1 week long in order to keep up with releases.

below the cut, i will list each match-up. links will be added to the polls as they post.

thanks again for your submissions & the overall interest in this bracket! i hope we have fun!

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET: THE FINALE: MOURNING DOVE vs. AMERICAN CROW.

these two combatants need no introduction. they've left a trail of destruction in their wake leading up to this. 32 birds, whittled down to just two.

THE MOURNING DOVE. embodiment of elegance and tranquility. its subtle beauty is a sight to behold. a voice that enchants the soul. a creature of resilience and adaptability. this is truly the peoples' bird.

THE AMERICAN CROW. a competitor that will leave you in awe with its enigmatic presence. it possesses unmatched intelligence, able to solve complex puzzles and exhibit remarkable problem-solving skills. and, of course, the caw. an unbeatable opponent.

they’re found all over north & central america and aren’t very rare. but i think they’re very interesting! they eat almost nothing but fruit. big groups of them will find a fruit tree, eat everything they can, and then move on.

one of the things i think is really cute is that sometimes, they’ll all line up on a branch. one of them will pick a berry and then pass it down the line so that every bird gets to eat.

i also think their courtship is funny and cute. two birds will take a small item like a flower petal or a bug and pass it back and forth. they also accidentally get drunk sometimes by eating fruit that’s gone bad and started to ferment.

this is a wonderful question! there's a few different places to start.

for me, my favorite birds & the first ones i learned about were the ones local to me! this obviously depends on where you live haha. a good place to start would be googling which birds live in your country/state/region/county/etc.

there is an app called merlin from the cornell lab of ornithology that's REALLY useful for figuring out what birds are near you. if you see or hear a bird you don't recognize, you can record its call or take a picture of it, and the app tells you what it is. :) i'm plugging it here because i recently downloaded it and i LOVE it haha.

i love using wikipedia to read about birds :) there are also blogs like @todaysbird that post pictures & fun facts about birds!

i think the most important thing is, if you see or hear about a bird you think is funny or cool or cute, look it up! there's bound to be something interesting about every animal you hear about, no matter how common it is.

i'll finish up by linking a few articles on birds that i thought were really interesting, since people might appreciate it:

scientists taught pet parrots to video call each other—and the birds loved it

wikipedia page on alex the parrot, a pet african grey parrot who was the subject of a study on how parrots copy words & sentences from their owners

juvenile bird accidentally breaks record for longest non-stop flight on its first attempt

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET: SEMIFINALS: AMERICAN CROW vs. MALLARD DUCK

IN THE BLUE CORNER, we have a competitor that will send shivers down your spine with its enigmatic presence. making its way to the ring, from the depths of the shadows, brace yourselves for the embodiment of cunning and allure, the AMERICAN CROW!

with every resounding caw, the american crow commands the attention of the ring, drawing us into its dark and mysterious world. known for its haunting caws and its gothic inspiration, the american crow exudes an air of mystique and wisdom.

prepare yourselves for a battle like no other. the american crow will take flight, unleashing its uncanny intelligence and bewitching presence upon the ring. get ready to be enthralled by the dark charisma and unyielding power of the crow as it dominates the ring with an unmatched aura of mystery!

IN THE RED CORNER, we have a competitor that will take your breath away with its majestic presence. hailing from serene waters and lush wetlands, get ready for the dazzling and resilient MALLARD DUCK!

known for its iconic quacks and striking plumage, the mallard duck represents grace and strength. it navigates the waters and the ring with unwavering determination, representing the indomitable spirit that lies within nature's champions.

get ready for an extraordinary display of beauty and athleticism! tonight, the mallard duck will take flight, showcasing its stunning performance and capturing our hearts!

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET: SEMIFINALS: MOURNING DOVE vs. KOOKABURRA

IN THE BLUE CORNER, get ready for a spectacle of tranquility and grace! we have a guest that will captivate your hearts with its serene presence. please welcome the MOURNING DOVE!

with feathers as soft as a gentle breeze and a demeanor that exudes calmness, this avian beauty is a true marvel of nature. known for its soothing coos and tranquil aura, the mourning dove represents peace and harmony. but don't underestimate the mourning dove's quiet nature, for it possesses an inner strength that cannot be denied.

so, prepare yourselves as we witness the graceful beauty and unwavering spirit of the mourning dove. get ready to be enchanted by the mourning dove's serene performance, as it spreads its wings and brings a sense of peace to the ring!

IN THE RED CORNER, we have a guest that will make you laugh, cheer, and soar with excitement. making its way to the ring, hailing from the land down under, please welcome the charismatic master of mirth, the KOOKABURRA!

known for its contagious laughter and infectious energy, the kookaburra is the embodiment of joy and frivolity. the kookaburra's call is synonymous with any jungle scene in the movies, regardless of whether it takes place in australia or not. that's how you know it has a real star quality, folks!

get ready for a rollercoaster of entertainment as the kookaburra takes center stage, bringing joy and hilarity to the ring like no other!

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET: ROUND THREE: WAR OF THE WATERFOWL: CANADA GOOSE vs. MALLARD DUCK

IN THE BLUE CORNER, we have a competitor that represents the indomitable spirit of the world's lakes. brace yourselves for the powerhouse of the bird world, the CANADA GOOSE!

with feathers in striking shades of black and white and a presence that demands respect, this avian behemoth is a force to be reckoned with. the canada goose possesses tremendous strength and unyielding endurance. it charges into the fray, flapping its mighty wings and delivering powerful strikes that send opponents reeling.

tonight, this feathered warrior will spread its wings and soar to new heights, showcasing the power of unity and the triumph of nature's champions. prepare for an epic showdown, as the canada goose takes center stage and asserts its dominance in the ring like a true avian legend!

IN THE RED CORNER, hailing from tranquil waters and wetlands, prepare yourselves for the epitome of grace and versatility, the MALLARD DUCK!

with feathers shimmering in hues of emerald green and deep chestnut, this avian marvel is a sight to behold. known for its iconic quacks and its charisma, the mallard duck embodies beauty and resilience.

this avian showstopper thrives in the spotlight, seizing every opportunity to leave a lasting impression. it combines its athletic prowess with cunning tactics, outmaneuvering opponents with swift movements and surprise attacks.

tonight, this feathered marvel will take flight, capturing our hearts with its stunning performance. prepare for a spectacle of elegance and power, as the mallard duck dominates the competition and leaves us in awe of its natural brilliance!

OOPS lol forgot to schedule it!!

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET: SEMIFINALS: THE CORVID CONFLICT: AMERICAN CROW vs. COMMON RAVEN

IN THE BLUE CORNER, brace yourselves for the embodiment of intelligence and adaptability, the AMERICAN CROW!

with feathers as dark as the night sky and eyes that gleam with unyielding focus, this avian strategist is a force to be reckoned with. known for its sharp wit and unparalleled problem-solving skills, the american crow is the epitome of cunning and versatility.

with its keen intellect, the american crow outsmarts its adversaries at every turn. it employs tactical maneuvers, utilizing the environment and its surroundings to gain the upper hand.

get ready as we witness the unrivaled brilliance and fierce determination of the american cow. tonight, this feathered genius will outsmart, outmaneuver, and outshine its opponents, leaving a trail of victory in its wake!

IN THE RED CORNER, we have a competitor that will send chills down your spine and leave you in awe. prepare yourselves for the embodiment of darkness and mystique, the COMMON RAVEN!

with each haunting caw, the common raven commands the attention of the ring, captivating us all with its dark allure. it prowls the ring with calculated movements, showcasing its aerial prowess and striking with the precision of a predator. this avian embodiment of mystery is relentless in its pursuit of victory. with its sharp intelligence and strategic acumen, the common raven outsmarts its opponents at every turn. but will it be able to outmaneuver its ominous cousin?

prepare yourselves for a battle unlike anything you've witnessed before. two birds, two cousins, both with those beautiful glossy black feathers and a voice like no other. when these two competitors take flight, which one will win in the battle of wits? get ready to be enthralled by the dark charisma and unyielding power of the common raven as it dominates the ring!