Frequently asked “Spish” Questions

What is spish?

Spish, also referred to as Pish, is the sound you can make to entice birds to come closer. They’ll wonder what the noise is and come to investigate. No one knows for sure why the spish sound works, but most believe it’s an alarm-type signal for the birds and they can’t resist checking out the source.

The sound can attract a variety of woodland and backyard birds, from chickadees, sparrows, warblers, and jays to nuthatches, titmice, catbirds, and wrens. Even woodpeckers respond to the sound.

How do you spish?

Techniques vary. With your teeth closed, hiss. Another technique is making a long, loud, drawn-out spish-h-h-h sound. Do it three or four times in a row. It will sound as if you’re making a shushing noise but with an extra sp in front. In a steady rhythm, do it repeatedly. After practice, you’ll find your spish voice.

When should I spish?

If you’re alone, spish-away. When in a group, it’s polite to ask how your group feels about the sound. If they’re fine with it, then go for it. If they admit to finding it annoying, keep quiet. And if someone else in the group is doing it, don’t do it. Too many spishers is not a good thing. Also, avoid overusing during times when birds are already stressed, such as winter or nesting season.