We get our phrases and slang from all kinds of common everyday events.To be "up before the sparrows" is a common phrase. One NZ pie company even uses it as a slogan to tell folks how early they get up to bake pies.
Have you ever taken the time to hear which birds in your garden sing the earliest songs, which has the ‘singing order’ as opposed to ‘pecking order’? Why do those species start calling earlier than others?
There is no fixed order in which each species takes its cue from the eastern skies but there is a genuine tendency for some to start earlier than others. Incidentally this natural phenomenon has given raise to such phrases as ‘up-with-the-sparrows’ and ‘rise-before-cockcrow”.
In fact, this dawn chorus serves as battle hymn and love song, so whilst some sing “Come on!” others sing “Clear off!” It seems to be those who seek territories that are most active at first light. There is just enough light to move about but not yet light enough to hunt and forage, low temperatures of early morning keeping their insect prey on the ground.
Click here to read more about sparrows and hear the song sparrow.
For a NZ dawn chorus of forest birds, click here.
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