The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

This pay phone is free, but you can’t make a call. It only plays birdsongs.

‘The phone attracts a lot of attention,’ said Hatib Joof, who owns a restaurant next to the Bird Calls Phone in Takoma Park, Md.

January 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. EST
David Schulman at the Bird Calls Phone in Takoma Park on Jan. 5, 2024. ( Tom Huizenga )
5 min

Hatib Joof sees elementary school students lined up at a pay phone outside of his restaurant in Takoma Park, Md., in suburban Washington, several times a week.

“The phone attracts a lot of attention,” Joof said. “And it’s fascinating to watch people’s expressions when they use it.”

It’s not just kids who are drawn to the phone, which has a canary yellow receiver. Adults stop by all day long for a little boost as well. The phone plays free birdsongs.