Sorry if this has already been done, but here's the small text by all the birds: House Sparrow (passer domesticus) - Originally introduced to Brooklyn in 1851 - Enjoys eating seeds Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) - This one is immature - When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk's cry! American Robin (turdus migratorius) - The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months - They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries Green Heron (butorides virescens) - Can use "bait," where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa) - Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called "dabbling" Greckman's Eagle (Aquila greckmensis) (bunny pictured) - Can fly faster than two miles and hour! - Extremely agressive Iowan Short Egret (Ardea parvulus) (turtle pictured) - Found in shallow bodies of water - Hates the game of horshoes Crow (Crow) - Crow Greatest Horned Owl (Bubo bubobubo) (pig statue pictured) - Eats whatever they want - Thinks they're better than you and is probably right about that Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) - Saw some cool worms this morning - Feels really pretty in this tree, but isn't going to make a big deal about it Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - Likes to mimic hawk calls - Is currently the main witness in a high-profile embezzlement case American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) - Molts twice a year - Let me use their truck to move one time Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Honestly, they get more hate than they deserve. - Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Usually mate for life - Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the best decision of their life

So when BDG said he left polygon to make “stranger, less referential projects” he was really not kidding huh

I am unironically glad that leaving Polygon has allowed Brian to get significantly more unhinged while dragging Karen down with him.

this is very soothing :) edit: nevermind it became a cult again

i love how Brian left Polygon and was just immediately like "finally i can revert to my home frequency"

This finally explains the deep lore behind why he was googling bird photos when Karen couldn’t find her laptop.

I feel like Brian just has really bad fever dreams just aggressively scribbles shit when he wakes up and tries to make sense of it later.

The normal part of me: Oh, this is really sweet and charming. The ornithologist of me, seeing a cowbird labelled as a house sparrow: HOW COULD YOUUU

"Why are you so afraid of the neighbors? Just say hi." The neighbors:

somehow even though they look 15 they have that retiree energy

My sister informed me that a group of philosophers who specialize in aesthetics and music have been discussing in great depth and detail why this song is so humorously unsettling, and I just need to share that.

A Brian David Gilbert video is really just a game of “ok, when is _it_ going to happen”?

when you hear about a couple named Brian and Karen, these two are not immediately what come to mind

As a professional ornithologist I declare this our new anthem.

As someone who sings in like choirs and stuff like that, Brian's harmony underneath Karen's melody in this song sounds tricky as fuck to sing, it goes so all over the place. Props to you for writing a part like that for yourself.

So, am I. Am I in a cult now. Is this what happened?

Rule #1 of life: No matter how inconspicuous the subject, Brian David Gilbert _can_ and _will_ turn it into an unholy nightmare.

"Alright, Karen, what's the general tone of the next video?" "Let's see. Tails is horror, heads is comedy, and edge is a lighthearted song." *flips a coin* *coin shatters on the ceiling in 3 pieces, one lands on heads, one on tails, one on the edge* "Uh oh. Let me take another-" "Wait! I've got an idea ..."

they now can watch birds while being ENGAGED WOOOO LETS GO BDG AND KAREN SO HAPPY FOR YALL

I transcribed both the main verse and haunting chorus on GarageBand and there's a lot of juicy music theory stuff. Here's a few that I was able to recognize. -Karen has the melody and Brian harmonizes in the verses, then they switch roles in the bridge chant, then back to normal when it's over -Brian's harmonization with Karen consists of a lot of thirds and chromaticism(half step motion) -Rhythmically they sing on the offbeat whenever they start. -The third "We Like Watching Birds" of every verse is only time Karen and Brian cross-voice(when the melody lines over lap each other) -When they modulate keys, they go from C Major to F# Major, which isn't diatonic to the original key(I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii0) and therefore a chromatic key change(This is because the first chord in the key change is a B Major, which in F# is a IV)

The way brian stands completely still makes it astoundingly clear that he was the tree in his elementary school play

Ah, yes, the classic BDG formula of writing a catchy tune and suddenly shifting it into a minor key to introduce some unsettling psychological horror before switching back to the original key and acting like the key change never happened

House Sparrow 🐤 0:09 Passer domesticus -Originally introduced to Brooklyn in 1851 -Enjoys eating seeds Red-Tailed Hawk 🦅 0:10 Buteo jamaicensis -This one is immature -When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk's cry! American Robin 🐤 0:11 -The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months -They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries Green Heron 🦆 0:12 Butorides virescens -Can use "bait" where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface Wood Duck 🦆 0:13 Aix sponsa -Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called "dabbling" Greckman's Eagle 🦅 0:27 Aquila greckmensis -Can fly faster than two miles an hour! -Extremely agressive Iowan Short Egret 🐥 0:28 Ardea parvulus -Found in shallow bodies of watet -Hates the game of horseshoes Crow 🦅 0:28 Crow -Crow Greatest Horned Owl 🦉 0:29 Bubo bubobubo -Eats whatever they want -Thinks they're better than you and is probably right about that Common Grackle 🕊 0:45 Quiscalus quiscula -Saw some cool worms this morning -Feels really pretty in this tree but isn't going to make a big deal about it Blue Jay 🐦 0:48 Cyanocitta cristata -Likes to mimic hawk calls -Is currently the main witness to a high profile embezzlement case American Goldfinch 🐥 1:27 Spinus tristis -Molts twice a year -Let me use their truck to move one time Canada Goose 🦆 1:28 Branta canadensis -Honestly, they get a lot more hate than they deserve. -Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. Mute Swan 🦢 1:29 Cygnus olor -Usually mate for life -Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the happiest decision of their life Thank you Sequoia for correcting me!

fun fact! in the final shot of this video, which lasts approximately 25 seconds, brian blinks exactly 4 times. this means he blinked once every 6.25 seconds on average. the average human blinks about every 3.43 seconds. therefore, brian slowed his blinking rate to almost half of the norm, just to give us a more unsettling viewing experience. thank you, brian!

This feels like a school project that got way too out of hand and honestly I admire that

The fact that there is no rest between the lines really help pushed this song over into the uncanny valley

Fridge brilliance moment: they need to steal chicken bones from the garbage because they need bird bones to contact their god, but they're not allowed to eat or harm birds

The fact that I wasn't remotely surprised when it turned into a cult really says something about Brian's content

as soon as “as they watch us back from in the sky” knew this one was gonna be wonky. in a good way

Me after 20 seconds: Okay, when does this turn into an existential nightmare? Me, a minute later: Ah, there it is.

My weird brain in trying to remember how the song goes keeps saying "we like watching birds which is weird cause they have no feet." I began singing it cause it was funny and it's driving my partner absolutely mad. All I'm saying is if you somehow added that line in, perhaps to an extended version, I would become all powerful and my chaos would know no bounds. Thanks in advance.

Always nice to have a bird lookin out for ya

Me: "Is it a funny musical video or an existential horror video this time?" BDG: "Yes"

Karen has such a cute and pleasant voice. I've never heard "This one saw a white collar crime" sound so good.

"Ah yes, the indefatigable Brian David Gilbert and his mate, Karen. The hope of humanity rests upon their tiny, shrill voices soaring to heights only the Great Winged can perceive. We watch them echo our song; a bastard child on the wind. Spiraling, reaching, praying. If they succeed in their strange harmony, humanity might be yet be for safe another season." ~some bird probably

This video ruined my life. I've watched it at least 30 times, it plays on loop constantly in my brain. I can't rest until I understand every strange note and know every word of this mantra. It never ends. Please bird god just take me home.

I like how he’s holding the book like evangelists hold their bibles. It’s a nice detailed touch.

You know what’s gonna be really scary? If BDG makes a 100% normal video. No strings attached, no devilish music breaks, just casual video

karen's voice is so pretty she could sing the treaty of versailles and i would listen

I know the last line is supposed to be all ominous, but all I can think is “I hope they enjoy watching me :)”

I love how with the exception of "soar majestically through the breeze" "stealing chicken bones from the garbage behind Applebees" the lines in this song aggressively don't ever rhyme

I'm just glad Brian found someone as weird and unique as he is to make content with, really warms the heart.

Blue Jay "Is currently the main witness in high-profile embezzlement case"

I've watched this a lot and the thing that haunts me most is how it's supposed to be a bird god of the sky but they make offerings to it by putting bones by a drain in an underground basement. Chills me to my bones. (from the garbage behind applebee's)

.....Is this why when Karen came looking for her laptop Bryan was looking at a bunch of bird pics

BDG facts: - likes watching birds - hates horses (greatest fear)

tired: the birds work for the bourgeoisie wired: the bourgeoisie work for the birds

Trying to figure out the harmony line they use and slowed it down to .5 to make them out better - significantly more horrifying, thank you Brian and Karen! (Also it's such an intricate harmony for how fast the song is - it's very cool how musically clever these two are).

I think BDG and Karen heard about the "birds aren't real" conspiracy and just said, "hold my pepcorn"

i am so worried about brian and karens mental state

I just listened to this on loop for like 20 minutes while working on a biology lab report about birds. I hope our Bird God finds this to be an acceptable offering.

big fan of how at the end you're expecting them to say, "and the birds like watching us,too" but instead it's "and the birds like watching YOU, too" just that little creepy touch is *chef's kiss*

Brian's harmonic line is so subtly bizarre that it makes the whole video work. Love it

oh boy, will it be a psychological horror or a cute song? let’s spin the wheel

I shared this with my friend in her 60s who is an avid birder, and she and her other birder friends love it. One of their testimonials: “That is really cute. Sign me up for the cult right away!”

You know I REALLY wasn't expecting the stealing chicken bones from Applebees to come back later in the song.

The excessive number of words that are shoved into the lyric about the Applebees is just really satisfying.

“We like watching birds, and our neighbor across the street.” w h a t

You have to watch this three times. First to enjoy the bird god quality music, then to pause and read all of the information about the birds, and another to turn on the captions and listen to the cult chants!

Brian David Gilbert is my hero. I've never seen horror and comedy blended so seamlessly that I'm simultaneously laughing my ass off and scared shitless

These are your next door neighbors who you see getting taken away by the FBI and think "They seemed like such nice people, but they *were* a little too into bird-watching."

"What's your favorite genre of youtube?" "uuuhh light hearted song about birds that have personalities and also are part of a cult?"

I paused the video to read the bird facts. And all of them are hilarious and educational But my favourite bit was the scientific names they changed Such as Crow, which is simultaneously the common name,genus, and species of the crow. And also Bubo Bubobobobo, which I barely noticed the first time

anatidaephobia: the fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you

i am so tempted to show this to my high school biology teacher who has nearly been charged with trespassing multiple times because he takes his lawn chair into peoples backyard/ (allegedly) to birdwatch

It's a like two alien siblings trying to blend in after watching 100 hours of children's programs.

the culty level of his videos has gone up by 600% after him leaving Pollygon

1:26 "All the Finches Geese and Swans, are just messengers of our god" Something about this particular line gives me legit flashbacks to bible worship time as a kid in a Christian preschool

This is going to be stuck in my head all week now thanks Brian

"Karen I ordered two sets of birdwatching gear" "Why" "It came to me in a dream"

Never have I thought I could be so concerned for people yet so in awe of their harmonies.

1:28 Brian’s “Ge-ese” will never not throw me off

No one gonna talk about Brian’s mad harmonic line that I’m obsessed with? No one?? Okay.

I like how karen smiles and moves naturally, but Brian stays completely still, like he's being held hostage

As an avid birdwatcher I can confirm this is exactly what it's like.

Karen and Brian are so in sync the whole time that the bahind/behind dissonance really stands out, 10/10

the polygon era was iconic but i am immensely enjoying the bdg renaissance

Whenever BDG posts a song I: - Listen to it like 5 times immediately - Show it to literally everyone I know - Get mad when it stays stuck in my head for a month and stops me from sleeping

As a man who likes watching birds i can confirm that free will is a myth

Their voices are so equally-mixed it's so hard to figure out which one is the harmony, and which one is the melody...

I'm gonna base a religion in my DnD setting on this.

Brian's post polygon career his just him buying stuff he wants and making a video with it so he can write it off.

It took me way too long to realize the bones they offer up to the bird god are the same ones they stole from the garbage behind Applebees

I like how this song goes from a happy tune to t̸̼̅h̷̠͋ĕ̷͈ ̵̧̔r̴͇̿i̴̅ͅt̷̋͜ù̴̝á̸̜l̷̘̾ and then back to the happy tune

I like how the bird god accepts offerings exclusively in the form of chicken bones stolen from Applebee’s.

As good as Karen is at being the "normal" one, it's fun seeing her be weird too for once.

All the bird facts because I’m tired yet cannot sleep (Yes, I wrote this by hand.) House Sparrow (0:09) Passer domesticus -Originally introduced to Brooklyn in 1851 -Enjoys eating seeds Red-Tailed Hawk (0:10) Bueto jamaicenis -This one is immature -When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk’s cry! American Robin (0:11, but it’s quick) Turdus migratorious -The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months -They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries Green Heron (0:12) Butorides virescens -Can use “bait,” where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface Wood Duck (0:13) Aix sponsa -Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called “dabbling” Greckman’s Eagle (0:27) Aquila greckmensis -Can fly faster than 2 miles and hour! -Extremely aggressive Iowan Short Egret (0:27) Ardea parvulus -Found in shallow bodies of water -Hates the game of horseshoes Crow (0:28) Crow -Crow Greatest Horned Owl (0:29) Bubo bubobubo -Eats whatever they want -Thinks they’re better than you and is probably right about that Common Grackle (0:45) Quiscalus quiscula -Saw some cool worms this morning -Feels really pretty in this tree, but isn’t going to make a big deal about it Blue Jay (0:48) Cyanocitta cristata -Likes to mimic hawk calls -Is currently the main witness in a high-profile embezzlement case American Goldfinch (1:27) Spinus tristus -Molts twice a year -Let me use their truck to move one time Canada Goose (1:28) Branta canadensis -Honestly, they get more hate than they deserve. -Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. Mute Swan (1:29) Cygnus olor -Usually mate for life -Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the best decision of their life

Karen and Brian in this video feel like people you'd see four blocks down on the street, blink, and then they'd suddenly be half that distance away, still just standing in the same pose (insert weeping angels reference here).

Karen: Hey how long do we have to stand and smile at the camera? BDG: As long as the patreon scroll

There are so many good little details to this but the one that really stood out to me is the slight, human movements of Karen vs the absolute stillness of Brian in most of the scenes. Just another step into the uncanny valley

‘We Like Watching Birds:’ a song where Karen and Brian start bird watching, they enjoy it very much. They then discover the birds are watching them too, they find the bird god watches them constantly. The bird gods force them to pay tribute to them. The bird gods eat the chicken bones and own them as slaves. Please, save Brian and Karen from this fate

I am contractually obligated to stop everything and watch this whenever it pops up in my recommendations.

As a pagan bird owner this is both delightful and terrifying. 11/10 stay away from my house

Their voices really just...mesh. This is how we should find mates; do karaoke and find the person whose voice naturally harmonizes with yours. Wait, that’s what birds-

someone else mentioned that none of the lyrics in this song rhyme, and whether or not that is intentional I think its a testament to how good they are at writing. the song is so fun that you forget how little it connects

I'm glad that birdwatchers are finally getting the representation they deserve

As a birder I am quite pleased by the accuracy of their outfits. The floppy hats and many-pocketed vests are quite distinctive. The only thing missing from this display of birder fashion is the pants being tucked into the socks to guard against ticks!

I love the harmony here as my ears are either unwilling or unable to figure out which part is the melody. Thus the song gets stuck in my head but I could never hope to sing it as I cannot separate one part from the other. Its either sung together, or doesn't exist.

This harmony is genuinely impressive

I'm really glad dale's managed to keep up his career after splitting from the group, massive props.