A town in California is considering adding birdsong to its streets via loudspeakers. To make citizens happier.
It’s California, so this might be no joke.
What if it catches on? What if big cities like Chicago and New York fill their streets with pre-recorded birds?
And which birds would be singing? White-throated Sparrows or Hermit Thrushes? American or European Robins? Nightingales at night? Screaming Bald Eagles when we’re militant? Mourning Doves on a sad day? Maybe a vote should be taken.
And what about unforeseen side effects…
Real birds could think rivals are encroaching. Avian turf wars are common, and this could push nervous birds over the edge. Maybe some would just pack up and leave. Let humans have their stupid electronic birds, we’re outta here.
But even if the town’s birds were indifferent, would the canned song really make people feel happier?
Some people like it quiet. Others will find the taint of elevator music in all this. Maybe background sounds aren’t the government’s business. Unless we’re talking about lawn blowers at 7 am.
But as goofy as the bird song initiative might be, there’s some logic in it.
When ad guys shoot outdoor TV commercials, they add birdsong. It’s a stock sound effect called “sweetening.” Imagine two commercials, one with birds and one without. You’ll like the bird version better.
It’s more finished, more real, happier. Yeah, happier.
And when you’re putting a music track behind the action, you have certain instruments that can do the same “happier” thing. Like the banjo.
I’ve done this when making TV commercials. I’ve added a subtle banjo riff in with the other instruments. It makes the music sound American. And happy.
Maybe that town in California could skip the birdsong project with all the questions it raises, and just add banjo to their streets.
A little “Oh Susanna” twanging along as you walk to the corner store has got to make the day sunnier, and you happier.
And if you’re lucky enough to also hear a Hermit Thrush, you’ll know it’s real. Another reason to be happy.
Not a good idea, just ask people who work in Wal Mart, they tried this in the garden dpt. and it about drove the clerks crazy
I’m with you in your conclusion. That town in California should look at making its streets more inviting to real birds. And real musicians (even banjo players … I guess).*
Real birds make me happy, and so do real musicians if they are even halfway good. Recordings imposed on me in a public space, no.
(*I suppose I should clarify. The friendly dig at banjo players is a kind of running joke among fiddlers. And vice versa.)
I vote no canned birdsong in the street! I’d like to know when I hear a bird it’s a bird, not a recording (unless, of course, I am purposely listening to a recording at the moment). I agree with Marc D.
I saw that news item too…bird Muzak? Next: Atmospheric tranquilizers, euphoriants, drugs in the water supply to render us docile, compliant, suggestible. See “Brave New World,” Aldous Huxley, “1984,” George Orwell. My reaction: Nausea. Trepidation. Hilarity.
Hi again,
I love this entry and think it’s a step in the right direction. I wrote about the canyon wren (not to be confused with the cactus wren) and Debussy’s Arabesque no. 1. The Hermit thrush has an equally molodious call. Thanks for sharing!