[obol] Re: Hutton's Vireo song: ID help please!
- From: Janet Leavens <janet.leavens1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: joel.geier@xxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 20:17:01 -0400
Don't worry -- it's not a downer at all. Purple Finch isn't a life bird for
me, but they *are* rare in Florida (still don't have one on my state list),
so it's not as if it's a junk bird. Besides, Hutton's Vireo wouldn't have
been a lifer anyway (found one a couple of years ago in the Seattle area in
the summer). Just trying to get the ID straight and learn something in the
process ...
I found a vireo-like call for the PUFI on the iBird pro app. It's called
"Purple Finch 5" and is described as "Vireo-like alarm calls given in
presence of a hawk." It's funny though, this recorded vocalization actually
sounds more like a song and not at all like an alarm call, which I'd
expected to be a little harsher and to the point. Anyway ... I do think
that this is the closest approximation to my recording, closer than any
vireo song. The only difference is that the song is a lot more leisurely
and less hurried in my recording. Like I mentioned there is about 2 seconds
pause between each phrase. But maybe my Purple Finch was just less stressed
out. LOL!
Thanks!
Janet Leavens
Oviedo, FL
On Fri, Oct 24, 2014 at 8:41 PM, Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Janet (and anyone else who isn't currently chasing the Red-throated
> Pipit),
>
> Since 95% of Oregon's top birders are probably overwhelming the septic
> systems around Lake Selmac right now, I will try to respond.
>
> It is really hard to judge bird songs from a written description. Hutton's
> Vireos have a very monotonous song (just "zu-weeep, .... zu-weeep" over and
> over, and extremely regular). The variability that you describe, and the
> similarity to Red-eyed Vireo that you mention, makes me think that you were
> more likely hearing a Western Purple Finch. They are indeed less burry
> sounding than, say, Cassin's Vireo.
>
> Hopefully this is not too much of a downer, since you still have a couple
> of very cool lifers to celebrate today (Varied Thrush and Red-breasted
> Sapsucker). And I could very well be wrong, since it's hard to go from a
> written description. If you can find a way to send me the sound file, I'll
> give it another shot.
>
> Good birding,
> Joel
>
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