FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Still more on Red Crossbill "cryptic species"

[Bill Pulliam <bb551@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A little more reading, and it appears that the situation in the  
southern Appalachians is relatively simple, with primarily two of the  
more easily distinguished types here (type 1 and type 2).

Type 2 is the most widespread "species" in the lower 48.  It is a  
large, heavy-billed form that prefers pines with relatively stout  
cones.  In Colorado I thought of it as the "Ponderosa Crossbill"  
since it especially liked ponderosa pine.  Its vocalizations all tend  
to be relatively harsh, hoarse, and hard; the flight call is a little  
more drawn out than most of the other "species."  To my ears, its  
flight call gives the impression of dropping in pitch, "kyup kyup  
kyup" instead of just "kip kip kip."  Overall for this form, think  
"big and harsh."

Type 1 is a smaller, lighter-billed form that prefers more delicate  
cones like white pine and hemlock.  I'm not very familiar with it in  
person, but the recordings of its calls indicate that they are  
significantly "cleaner" than type 2.  The flight call sounds clear,  
short, and level in pitch to my ears in comparison to type 2.  Think  
"small and clear."

The possibility of type 3 here also exists; this is the smallest,  
lightest-billed crossbill in North America, and is a hemlock/spruce/ 
etc. specialist.  Its calls seem to have a thin, squeaky quality: not  
so harsh as type 2, not clear like type 1.  It is also a much smaller  
and finer-billed bird than type 2, a difference that should be large  
enough to be useful in the field.  Think "small and squeaky."

I thought those of you in East TN where crossbills are more often  
encountered might find this info useful.  There is of course no  
guarantee that the AOU will ever actually split these forms; this  
split has been discussed for about two decades without actually  
happening yet.  Even if it does happen, the AOU might split them  
along unanticipated lines.

Bill Pulliam
Hohenwald TN
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