The Wood Thrush as a Symbol for Inner Peace

BirdNote^®

The Wood Thrush as a Symbol for Inner Peace

Written by Mark Bramhill

Tenijah Hamilton: This is BirdNote. 

    [Rock Doves cooing]

Tenijah Hamilton: When we think of a bird to represent peace, many of us might think of doves — they’re bright and cute and mellow. Recently, I was talking with my friend Deja Perkins, an urban ecologist, about the mental health benefits of birding and spending time in nature. And I wanted to know: for her, what bird best represents inner peace, peace of mind?

Deja Perkins: Oh, that's a really tough question. If I think about a bird that, um, represents like peace and brings me to a happy place every single time. It would definitely be the Wood Thrush. That melodic flute. It just — like I can close my eyes and listen to that song and it will transport me to like, some magical place. 

    [Wood Thrush song; it sounds ethereal, like a magical flute]

Deja Perkins: That sound gets me to stop every single time. No matter what I'm doing, I will stop and listen to the Wood Thrush. 

    [Wood Thrush song]

Tenijah Hamilton: Deja can teach you all about how time in nature can be good for your mental and physical wellbeing on our podcast, Bring Birds Back. Find it in your favorite podcast app, or on our website, BirdNote.org. I'm Tenijah Hamilton.

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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Content Director: Allison Wilson
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Rock Pigeon ML144324561 recorded by Paul Marvin, and Wood Thrush ML 168331 recorded by Wil Hershberger.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2022 BirdNote   December 2022         
Narrator: Tenijah Hamilton

ID# PodBBB-22-2022-12-19    PodBBB-22