[Tweeters] "The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge"

[Ed Dominguez via Tweeters]

I have recited this poem for 15 years in my role as Lead Naturalist at
Seward Park Audubon Center...a beautiful "paean" for this annual phenomenon.

Ed Dominguez

On Thu, Sep 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> Wait, did that Anna's male just do a "J" dive display?! Have you been

> hearing bird song or observing somewhat unseasonal behavior lately? We have

> begun to enjoy the annual avian phenomenon that's based upon partial

> reactivation of breeding behavior. Whether triggered by the effects of

> changing light levels on birdy hormones (the prevailing explanation), or

> other factors, the shift has poetically become known as, "The Autumnal

> Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge." Please honor Susan Stiles, who gave us

> this lovely bit of verse (plus thanks to Dennis Paulson and Teri Martine):

>

> "The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge" - by Susan Stiles

> (December 1973)

>

> When the birds are cacaphonic in the trees and on the verge

>

> Of the fields in mid-October when the cold is like a scourge.

>

> It is not delight in winter that makes feathered voices surge,

>

> But autumnal recrudescence of the amatory urge.

>

>

> When the frost is on the punkin' and when leaf and branch diverge,

>

> Birds with hormones reawakened sing a paean, not a dirge.

>

> What's the reason for their warbling? Why on earth this late-year splurge?

>

> The autumnal recrudescence of the amatory urge.

>

>

> In my humble opinion, the scientifically best and yet 'readable' article

> (2016) on the general topic, is by the wonderful "GrrlScientist" (

> https://about.me/grrlscientist): "Why do songbirds sing in autumn?"

>

> https://medium.com/@GrrlScientist/why-do-songbirds-sing-in-the-autumn-grrlscientist-2017eeec7e03

>

>

>

> Elaine Chuang

> Seattle

>   elc at uw dot edu

>

>

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