Bergvögel Cheatsheet

Images and brief info about song. A total of 29 species is included, 18 of them have been observed. Birds not observed yet Bearded vulture Black grouse Wallcreeper White-winged snowfinch Rock ptarmigan Western capercaillie Hazel grouse Eurasian woodcock Red-billed chough Alpine accentor Rock partridge
One note Sings 5-19 seconds Sings 30 seconds or longer Improvised melodic Improvised melodic: rasp Stereotype melodic Stereotype melodic: trill Simple rhythmic Simple rhythmic: trill Non-musical Non-musical: cawing No information about song motif Non-singer
Name/Image Song mnemonic/description Description
One note
Water pipit / Bergpieper (Anthus spinoletta)
Bergpieper glaube ich. 2023-05-27 09:38:16 Amden Hinder Hoechi Profile 		Er singt überwiegend fliegend ein ein- bis zweisilbiges „zip“ oder „tsi tsi“. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC716570 - Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta - song, recorded in Spain.mp3 Spain (song)

 Appearance and identification: wie ein grauer Fink. [Link] Song: Monoton, GAR NICHT BERGIG. Tsilp tsilp, gleich note, wiederholt sich über 10+ Sekunden, leicht schneller aber nicht zu viel. [Link] Song: Meist drei nicht scharf abgesetzte lange Tonreihen. Singflug. Mittelteilstück rauer und geräuschhafter als bei obiger Art [Wiesenpieper]. [Link] Song: Song slightly more melodious, often with Tree Pipit like glissandi at end of phrase. [Link]
Meadow pipit / Wiesenpieper (Anthus pratensis)
Wikipedia: Meadow pipit Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Wiesenpieper_Meadow_pipit.jpg Profile 		Single note, possibly rising at the end. (Or: long 4 second phrases, gradually louder then softer; swoopy or whoopy.) Sings in flight. BirdID: Song very similar to Rock Pipit, but tone less full and more brittle. Lacks Rock Pipit's closing trill, and beginning is less "hammering". - but what does a rock pipit sound like? ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC722919 - Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Ähnlich Baumpieper, aber ohne Zia-Rufe. Vollständiger Gesang nur in flatterndem Singflug. Lange Strophen. Mittelstück meist zart und hoch [Link] Song: Song very similar to Rock Pipit, but tone less full and more brittle. Lacks Rock Pipit's closing trill, and beginning is less "hammering". [Link]
Sings 5-19 seconds
Citril finch / Zitronenzeisig (Carduelis citrinella)
Zitronenzeisig. 2023-05-27 09:55:48 Amden Hinder Hoechi Profile 		Wild warbling of about 7 seconds ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC372554 - Citril Finch - Carduelis citrinella - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Wikipedia sagt ähnelt dem Gesang des Stieglitzes, in Aufbau und Tonfolge auch dem Girlitz. Song: Scheint nicht viel zu singen - XenoCanto hat nur 6 Seiten von Aufnahmen!
Sings 30 seconds or longer
Alpine accentor / Alpenbraunelle (Prunella collaris)
Wikipedia: Alpine accentor Source: WIKIPEDIA Prunella_collaris.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 Fast, long, chirpy ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC688398 - Alpine Accentor - Prunella collaris - long song recorded in France.mp3 (song)

 Song: Song is a varied stream of melodious and chattering notes, more resembling skylark than the much higher pitched Dunnock. [Link]
Eurasian siskin / Erlenzeisig (Spinus spinus)
Erlenzeisig beim Ortstockhaus nahe Braunwald. 2022-07-15 11:38:28 Gumen Profile 		bird-song.ch sagt Gesang zwitschernd und trillernd und ähnlich wie Girlitz - ich finde auch, es hat das hohe chaotische von den mit ab und zu was rohem. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC714393 - Eurasian Siskin - Spinus spinus.mp3 (song)

 Song: Distinct calls and song. The contact call is also prominent in the improvised song. Other typical sounds in the song includes a peculiar wheeze, like someone sucking their teeth, and lots of expert mimicry. [Link]
Improvised melodic
Common rock thrush / Steinrötel (Monticola saxatilis)
Steinrötel. 2022-05-21 15:13:24 Leuk Profile 		Nabu: Den weichen, melodischen Gesang trägt das Männchen zumeist im Singflug vor. [Link] Song: Song varied and pleasing, and often very difficult to tell from Blue Rock-thrush. It is generally softer, more varied and the deeper notes are less tremulous and vibrating. A higher proportion of the song is in the higher register, with fewer lower fluting sounds, and more mimicry. Both sexes sing, but females less than males. [Link]
Improvised melodic: rasp
Northern wheatear / Steinschmätzer (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Male northern wheatear, photo by Andreas Trepte - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5 Source: WIKIPEDIA Wikimedia Steinschmaetzer_Northern_wheatear_male.jpg Profile 		The Wheatear song consists of short phrases with marked pauses. Each phrase is often introduced by the "weet" sound, then followed by hastened, creaking, rattling and warbling sounds of 1-2 seconds duration. The "check" sound is also often included in the song. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC319898 - Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - song recorded in Scotland and includes creaking or rattling mentioned at Nord U BirdID.mp3 Scotland (song)

 Song: Kurze, wechselvolle Strophe mit vielen unreinen Tönen. Meist von erhöhter Warte aus oder in kurzem Singflug vorgetragen. [Link] Song: The Wheatear song consists of short phrases with marked pauses. The "check" sound is also often included in the song. [Link]
Stereotype melodic
Blue rock-thrush / Blaumerle (Monticola solitarius)
MerlinBirdID schlägt Blaumerle vor, könnte aber genauso gut in Kaltbrunnerriet ein Amsel sein. 2022-06-04 12:05:18 Kaltbrunner-Riet Profile 		Pretty short up-and-down song heard in Mallorca ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC659831 - Blue Rock Thrush - Monticola solitarius - song is a variable up and down - recorded in France.mp3 (song)

 Song: The song is a beautiful, melodious fluting which can be very difficult to distinguish from M. saxatilis. It generally has a more melancholic feel, with more tremulous fluting than the latter, with less lingering in the higher register. The structure is variable and simple, but sometimes more elaborate in song-flight or when including mimicry. Both sexes sing, but male most actively. [Link]
Dunnock / Heckenbraunelle (Prunella modularis)
Heckenbraunelle singt auf Baumspitze - nicht in der Hecke. 2024-06-25 07:33:46 Mettmenalp, GL Profile 		General: High-pitched, repetitive but complex little tune, 3 seconds long with about 15 notes rising and falling, falling at the end, then 3 second pause.
Song: Melodisch, slowly rising, roughly like black-cap warbler, which I guessed in the bird-song.ch quiz. [Link]
Schnell wie ein Rotkehlchen aber nicht herunter plätschernd, hoch und runter zwischen 3 und 7 kHz. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC778759 - Dunnock - Prunella modularis - song recorded in Spain.mp3 Spain (song)

 Song: Singt schon im Vorfrühling. Klangfarbe ähnlich Gartenbaumläufer. Aufbau ähnlich Zaunkönig, aber ohne Triller. Viel leiser und dünner. [Link] Song: Song a fast and evenly paced, high pitched stream of clear notes. No consistent phrasing. Similar in timbre to Robin, but does not vary tempo or pitch nearly as much. Often compared to the sound of a squeaky wheelbarrow. [Link] Similar to: European goldfinch (Habe es verwechselt in meiner eigen Übung Stieglitz geraten, war doch Heckenbraunelle!)♫ Adult call recorded in the UK. Source: XENOCANTO XC468566 European Goldfinch call in UK.mp3 (call)

, Black cap warbler♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC546030 black cap warbler so-called tac and djii call.mp3 (call)

, European robin (Dunnock song stays around same pitch, isn't cascading)♫ 2021-07-03 08:05:14 (call)

Wallcreeper / Mauerläufer (Tichodroma muraria)
Wikipedia: Wallcreeper Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Wallcreeper_%28Tichodroma_muraria%29_female_Piatra_Craiului.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 5-notes LlmHh with pirol-like slowness and tone. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC569274 - Wallcreeper - Tichodroma muraria - song, this one sounds likes a pi-rol.mp3 (song)

 Song: Song variable in length, but main characteristic a sequence of 4-6 long, ascending whistles with timbre recalling whistling kettle. More complex and varied phrases are mixed with the long whistles. Both male and female sings. [Link] Similar to: Eurasian golden oriole (Mauerläufer kennt nur eine Melodie?, Pirol diverse kurze.)♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC565722 eurasian golden oriole call.mp3 (call)

Stereotype melodic: trill
Grey wagtail / Gebirgsstelze (Motacilla cinerea)
Gebirgsstelze am Bach beim Klingnauer Stausee. 2022-02-05 14:16:30 Klingnauer Stausee (man-made lake) Profile 		BirdID says Song simple but variable. I hear trills up to 2 seconds long and chirps. Another description says a series of calls, not very melodic. I noted zwitx3, sometimes hhhhhll. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC767550 - Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea - song with trills and a cheek-cheek.mp3 (song)

 Song: Song simple but variable. Sometimes with more elaborate song-flight like White Wagtail. [Link]
Rock bunting / Zippammer (Emberiza cia)
Rock bunting, Aetna. 2025-03-01 11:17:04 Lanzarote Profile 		AppearanceAndIdentification: orange-brauner bauch, weisse brust+kopf mit 3 schwarzen streifen am kopf (unter/am/über Augen), braun+dunkelbraun auf Flügeln; aber Weibchen eher braun
Song: Notes from 2022: Short song, relatively long pause, repeated with slight variation? Has a very short triller of just 3 notes.
May have heard and seen one walking parallel to the Aa on the way to Pfaeffikersee today, though the visual ID is very uncertain; the Xeno-Canto song here sounds different than my 2022 description - musical like a chaffinch but rising, not falling. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC653755 - Rock Bunting - Emberiza cia - song, recorded in Spain.mp3 Spain (song)

 Song: Song variable, but usually distinct. [Link]
Simple rhythmic
Black grouse / Birkhuhn (Lyrurus tetrix)
Wikipedia: Black grouse Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Black_Grouse.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 Song can be a rapid dove-like cooing that goes up, then repeats. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC731604 - Black Grouse - Lyrurus tetrix.mp3 (song)

 Personal notes: Rolf hat einen auf dem Amdener Höhenweg Mai 2023 gesehen, würde den gerne sehen!
Ring ouzel / Ringdrossel (Turdus torquatus)
Ringdrossel - ich wollte unbedingt einen fotografieren, und dieser hat sicher frei. 2024-06-25 09:14:04 Mettmenalp, GL Profile 		3 Noten wie Ring-dross-el BirdID says Song a primitive, plaintive series of short phrases, often with only 1-2 syllables (I heard 2-3 in Amden, sometimes chirpy, sometimes less musical). ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC721589 - Ring Ouzel - Turdus torquatus - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Habe mit dem Buntspecht verwechselt - Ringdrossel singt 2-3 Noten - hilft das? [Link] Song: Song a primitive, plaintive series of short phrases. Often with only one or two syllables. Interspersed with eerie, higher pitched sounds, reminiscent of Song Thrush. [Link] Great spotted woodpecker
White-winged snowfinch / Schneesperling (Montifringilla nivalis)
Wikipedia: White-winged snowfinch Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Snowfinch.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 The XC song I downloaded is a faint chirping. Should follow up on song - most talk about calls. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC736093 - White-winged Snowfinch - Montifringilla nivalis - song recorded in Switzerland.mp3 Switzerland (song)

 Song: Song a staccato, variable phrase, consisting of short burst of sharp chattering in uneven tempo. The timbre is ringing, rich in harmonics and partly rolling. [Link]
Simple rhythmic: trill
Tree pipit / Baumpieper (Anthus trivialis)
MerlinBirdID says Tree pipit (Baumpieper), Jura, Scotland. 2023-08-13 10:51:12 Scotland Profile 		Reminds me of a greenfinch - series of trills, whoops and other sounds with a long pause ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC649035 - Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Mehrere unterschiedliche Tonreihen aneinandergefügt. Zuletzt „zia zia zia ziah“. Zuerst auf Baum sitzend, dann im Singflug, Zia-Rufe während Gleitflug (Fallschirmvogel) [Link] Song: Song characteristic. Starts with a series of Chaffinch-like "che-che-che" which gives way to long, descending, "ricocheting" whistling notes (especially at the end of song-flight). [Link] European greenfinch
Common redpoll / Birkenzeisig (Acanthis flammea)
Eine Seltenheit - ein Birkenzeisig im Baum bei Binario 3 in Fehraltorf. 2025-12-04 12:09:03 Ich habe den Vogel weit weg im Baum bei Binario 3 gesehen, und war neugierig (wie immer) und habe mein 200-800mm Telefoto geschnappt. Ohne das hätte ich es nicht identifizieren können. Beim ersten Blick auf die Fotos habe ich gedacht, es könnte ein Sperling sein, aber sie sind meistens sehr sozial, und hier war nur ein Vogel hoch in dem Baum. Und vor allen die kleinen Streifen auf dem Bauch haben nicht gepasst. Das wäre eher ein Drossel. "Die Vogel App!" hat 18 Möglichkeit gefunden, aber ich bin nicht schlauer geworden. Dann habe ich MerlinBirdID gefragt, was im besten Foto erscheint, und es hat gesagt Birkenzeisig. Das war (weil es alphabetisch geordnet ist) die erste Art in der Vogel App Liste. Und bisher hatte ich einen nur einmal einen Birkenzeisig gesehen in Andermatt auf einem FOK3 Ausflug. Übrigens, bei ornitho.ch wird es Alpenbirkenzeisig genannt. Ich habe dort geschaut, ob andere in Kanton Zürich einen Birkenzeisig gesehen haben, und in den letzen Tagen ja in Winterthur, Chatzenseen und Wädenswil. Fehraltorf Profile 		A few chirps and a trill, then repeat. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC703947 - Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Song an improvised chattering on various contact calls with no apparent phrasing. [Link]
Lesser whitethroat / Klappergrasmücke (Sylvia curruca)
Wikipedia: Lesser whitethroat Source: WIKIPEDIA Sylvia_curruca_1_%28Martin_Mecnarowski%29.jpg Profile 		Song typically consists of two parts. An indistinct chattering and warbling, subsong-like part similar to [common] Whitethroat, which is usually followed by a dry, fast and rattling trill. The trill carries much further than the chattering part. May be difficult to identify if trill is omitted. [Link] ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC652419 - Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca - song.mp3 (song)

 Song: Klappernd. (Müllerchen) An Berglaubsänger erinnernd. Klappertöne (5-8) Aber oft mit leisem schwatzendem Vorgesang, der fehlen kann. Kann auch an Sumpfmeise erinnern, doch sind bei dieser die Klappertöne mehr von oben her angeschlagen. [Link] Song: Song typically consists of two parts. An indistinct chattering and warbling, subsong-like part similar to Whitethroat, which is usually followed by a dry, fast and rattling trill. The trill carries much further than the chattering part. May be difficult to identify if trill is omitted. [Link] Similar to: European greenfinch♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC919412 - European Greenfinch - Chloris chloris - alarm call, aka wheeze.mp3 (alarm call)

Non-musical
Alpine chough / Alpendohle (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
To identify probably alpendohle. 2022-05-22 12:42:04 Leuk Profile 		Weird sounding chirping, often in large flocks. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC769199 - Alpine Chough - Pyrrhocorax graculus graculus - song recorded in Morocco.mp3 Morocco (song)
Non-musical: cawing
Spotted nutcracker / Tannenhäher (Nucifraga caryocatactes)
Tannenhäher - habe einen Specht gehört, in etwa dem Baum einen grossen Vogel gesehen, der aber von Ast zu Ast geflogen ist. 2021-07-20 15:32:10 Source: OTHER 20210720_153210-DSC_0457 XX Tannenhaeher - habe einen Specht gehört, in etwa dem Baum einen grossen Vogel gesehen, der aber von Ast zu Ast geflogen ist.JPG Fehraltorf Profile 		Grehh, grehh, grehh!! ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC641465 - Spotted Nutcracker - Nucifraga caryocatactes - song is a series of calls.mp3 (song)

 Song: Song a quiet improvisation of whistling and clappering sounds, interspersed with mimicry of other birds. [Link] Similar to: Eurasian jay (Tannenhäher noch harscher als Eichelhäher)♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC536051 Eurasian Jay harsh call 20s.mp3 (call)
No information about song motif
Rock ptarmigan / Alpenschneehuhn (Lagopus muta)
Wikipedia: Rock ptarmigan Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Rock_Ptarmigan_%28Lagopus_Muta%29.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
Western capercaillie / Auerhuhn (Tetrao urogallus)
Wikipedia: Western capercaillie Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Tetrao_urogallus_Richard_Bartz.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 Song: Four phased song: First a slow introductory, double-tapping phase which suddenly bursts into an accelerating crescendo followed by a distinct pop. [Link]
Bearded vulture / Bartgeier (Gypaetus barbatus)
Wikipedia: Bearded vulture Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Bartgeier_Gypaetus_barbatus_front_Richard_Bartz.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Agricultural
Eurasian crag-martin / Felsenschwalbe (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
6 von einige weitere Felsenschwalben in Verona. 2025-09-22 13:04:32 Source: OTHER 20250922_130432 6 von einige weitere Felsenschwalben in Verona.jpg Verona Profile 		Song: Song an inconspicuous, staccato series of twittering notes, with a wagtail-like timbre. [Link]
Hazel grouse / Haselhuhn (Tetrastes bonasia)
Wikipedia: Hazel grouse Source: WIKIPEDIA Haselhuhn-01.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
 Song: Song an extremely high pitched whistle; "piuuuuuuuiiii pju pju pju". [Link]
Rock partridge / Steinhuhn (Alectoris graeca)
Wikipedia: Rock partridge Source: WIKIPEDIA 1200px-Steinhuhn_Alectoris_graeca.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
Eurasian woodcock / Waldschnepfe (Scolopax rusticola)
Wikipedia: Eurasian woodcock Source: WIKIPEDIA Woodcock_earthworm.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Forest
Non-singer
Red-billed chough / Alpenkrähe (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Wikipedia: Red-billed chough Source: WIKIPEDIA Pyrrhocorax_pyrrhocorax_-standing-8.jpg Profile No documented observation ■■ Habitats: Mountain
endangered 		This birds doesn't sing, only calls.
Common raven / Kolkrabe (Corvus corax)
EIn Kolkrabe wollte anscheinend etwas zum Fressen von uns. 2024-09-14 12:18:14 Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge Profile 		This birds doesn't sing, only calls. Good to know: Other: A flock of ravens may be called an unkindness [Literary names of groups and flocks]