Here is a Steller’s jay I recorded last August, doing a similar series of
toots.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S68011570
Conor Scotland
Portland, OR
On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 5:52 PM Tom McNamara <tmcmac67@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi all,
I'm in the Steller's jay camp on this one. Of course Steller's are
obviously around blaring their standard vocalizations. But, to me, three
things that are highly suggestive are:
- Darrel's testimony that *he* *has heard* them make similars sounds
before, rather obviously he's no green birder
- the similar short stretch heard in Doug Robinson's recording
- just the *one time *(maybe 5 years ago) my wife and I stood there
absolutely gob smacked watching and listening to a talented Steller's in
Mt. Tabor park go through a simply unbelievable medley of vocalizations,
would've embarrassed a mocker or thrasher. I wouldn't put much past 'em.
Thanks for sharing those other eBird cuts, Russ.
good birding all, Tom
On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 3:35 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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> 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
