Well, there ARE two STELLER'S JAYS in the recording, one close and one further
away. However, it only suggests that they were in the vicinity at the time of
the recording, not culpability. The mystery sound seems a bit long in duration
for a jay imitation and, I think we can all agree, a jay in the vicinity of an
owl is no big surprise. Furthermore, the observer notes in the comments that
"The sound of interest is the series of paired notes at frequency 1kHz, not the
louder Stellers Jay."
Like David alluded to, I have heard CANADA JAYS imitate the rapid staccato
intro of a Northern Pygmy-Owl before. But it seems to make more sense that it
is an odd song of an original singer rather than a poor imitation of an
original song.
Cheers and good birding,
Russ Namitz
________________________________
From: t4c1x@xxxxxxxx <t4c1x@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:42 PM
To: davidcbaileyoregon@xxxxxxxxx <davidcbaileyoregon@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Russ Namitz <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx>; obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [ADV] [obol] Re: Mystery bird sound.....another one
Background voice suggests Steller's Jay is the culprit, and I have heard them
make similar calls.
Darrel
________________________________
From: "David Bailey" <davidcbaileyoregon@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Russ Namitz" <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 12:05:00 PM
Subject: [ADV] [obol] Re: Mystery bird sound.....another one
I agree that the mystery toots are likely Northern Pygmy-Owl, but with an
oddly short time between the double toots. If the pattern were less regular, I
might think a corvid like Canada Jay might be the vocalist...
David
On Tue, Apr 28, 2020, 11:39 Russ Namitz
<namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hello all~
Jimmy Billstine noticed a recent Tillamook eBird checklist with an unknown bird
sound recording and asked me about it.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S67878828
He proposed a Northern Pygmy-Owl and I think that he is right. It is an odd
cadence, one that I am not familiar with, but the sound is right above 1 kHz
and within the range of other Northern Pygmy-Owl sonograms seen on eBird.
Here is one of my own recordings with the quick staccato intro.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S45974376
A Western Screech-Owl (primary song) has a slightly lower frequency and can be
noticed in eBird sonograms.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S46692429
However, if not a small owl, are there any other suggestions?
Sincerely,
Russ Namitz
