[TN-Bird] Re: Finch, etc flight updates - near TN
- From: Bill Pulliam <littlezz@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: kde@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:11:18 -0600
On Nov 13, 2012, at 11:34 AM, kde@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Red Crossbills are frequently mentioned as a potential future
'split' into
as many as 10 different species primarily identifiable by calls and
bill
shape. We have Red Crossbills in the Appalachians but many of the
northern 'types' are actively moving south with reports as far
south as
the Outer Banks. So keep your eyes and ears open away from the
Smokies
this year.
And if there is any way at all, record the flight calls of any you
find! Even a small video camera or cell phone can often make an
adequate recording for determining the "call type." In places where
Red Crossbills are common you can sometimes eventually learn to tell
the predominant local call types apart by ear, but the differences
are VERY subtle to the ear, much worse than Pacific/Winter Wren,
Myrtle/Audubon's Warbler, etc. I doubt at this point that anyone
could reliably confirm a rare "call type" without a recording that
can be analyzed.
For reference, the most regular type in the southeast away from the
mountains is believed to be the widespread type 2, a pine
specialist. Smaller type 1 birds also occur normally in the
Appalachians (along with bigger type 2). One of the types that seems
to be on the move this year is type 3, another of the small types
from the north and west. Size difference would be almost impossible
to judge without side-by-side comparison, but a feeder bird might
allow close enough studies of size and bill anatomy to tell the
differences. Still, for real confirmation, get some audio!
Someday we may know these as Yellow Pine Crossbill, Hemlock
Crossbill, Sitka Crossbill, and other lyrical names. But for now we
are stuck with the numbers.
Bill Pulliam
Hohenwald TN
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