The most asked questions when people who find out I am a birder are: #1. “Have seen an eagle?” and #2. “What’s your favorite bird?”

Question #1. I’ve seen an eagle. Many eagles, in fact. This is the question that those in the birding world get to the point of exhaustion. We will answer cordially and will listen with enthusiasm as we listen to your story of seeing an eagle that one time when you were on a camping trip five years ago. While at the same time keeping our ears open to the littlest sound, making sure we don’t miss a bird that might be of interest. Don’t get me wrong; eagles are majestic! The first dozen or so times seeing one soar overhead, I was just as enthralled and would be as excited to let someone know that I had seen one. So please know that I will never keep you from the pleasure of seeing one in the wild.

Question number two usually has to come with an explanation which I happily give with enthusiasm as seeing an eagle for the first time!

The answer to question number two, for me, is the Carolina Wren, a small bird with a short barred tail and a light-colored “eyebrow”.

The story behind why this tiny wren became my favorite bird is short, but it impacted me immensely.

Shortly after I started birding, I was taking a walk with my trusted binoculars in southwest Michigan. Walking along the marshy part of the trail, this little brown bird hopped on top of a cattail and with its sweet booming voice belted out its song and mesmerized me instantly. As quickly as it appeared it was gone and being the newbie I was, I had my trusty Sibleys field guide and from memory I deduced that I had spotted a Carolina Wren.

Ever since my initial sighting, I get as excited as seeing eagles soar as when I hear its song. And can happily say I get to hear the wren sing “teakettle teakettle teakettle” from the brush pile nearly every morning from my window as I drink my coffee, getting ready for a long day of work.

So whether you are excited about the soaring of the majestic eagle or the sound of “cheeseburger” coming from the small black-capped chickadee. Your bird will always bring you happiness no matter how often you happen across it!