The Towhees around here-East Tennessee-certainly sing the "Drink" part of their song, also the "Tea" part-sometimes written as towhee. This am I heard "Drink, drink, drink....long pause...your tea" Then just "drink drink..." I think it's a little later in the year when I hear the "tea" or "towhee" part alone. Right now I have an Eastern Wood Peewee that repeats "pee-oh-wee" over & over & it's kinda mournful sounding. He sings from a cedar tree in a small cemetary across the road & it seems fitting somehow. Susan

Juvenile Common Gallinule

Thanks for your help...I had no idea whatsoever. I've never seen one before, and certainly never seen a male or anything else like it. But I just looked it up and it's not a nice bird to have around. I think it went away and I sure hope it doesn't come back. Here is a link that might be useful: Cowbird eggs in nestboxes -- Sialis.org

Maybe a Common Grackle? Right now I'm hearing them making a lot of chit..chit.. sounds, alternating with a sort of creaking. Claire