[CT Birds] Red Crossbills by ear

[Clay Taylor]

Thanks Nick -

That's what I get for not referring back to your previous e-mail - I got the
Types crossed up.    This is neat stuff, and I hope the birds hang in for a
while to give us all the kind of field experience to help us with the
(maybe?) upcoming split(s).   ;-)

Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT
ctaylor at att.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nick Bonomo" <nbonomo at gmail.com>
To: "Clay Taylor" <ctaylor at att.net>
Cc: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 2:16 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Red Crossbills by ear


> Hi Clay,
>
> Happy New Year. Nice sighting of so many crossbills in Westbrook! Just
> wanted to give a few words about the different types and their call
> notes. This year's invasion has consisted mainly of type 4 birds,
> according to the birds identified so far. Of the birds at Hammonasset
> and East Shore park from a few weeks ago, all were type 4 except for
> one or two type 3. I was told second-hand that analysis of Red
> Crossbills in New Jersey resulted in several type 4 and a single type
> 2.
>
> In my observations of the crossbills at Hammo, where they were also
> present in nice-sized flocks, the variety of calls that the birds were
> giving at one time was quite impressive. At any given time, a few of
> the birds could be giving flight calls, others giving a variety of
> softer calls while feeding, and one bird even broke out into song (a
> finchy warble)! The way to ID the different types is by hearing their
> flight calls, which can be given while perched, especially right
> before and after taking flight.
>
> Basically, type 4 flight calls are short, pure-toned, and rising. By
> contrast, type 3's give rougher and slightly descending flight calls.
> Type 2's are also slightly descending, not buzzy. Type 1's are short
> and descending. They are difficult to ID without computer analysis,
> except by those with extensive prior experience. Type 4s, being the
> only rising call, is probably the easiest to ID by ear.
>
> The way you described the fly-bys as making buzzy calls, they may not
> have been the previously-documented type 4's. Very interesting, thanks
> for sharing with us. If time permits I will try to get to Westbrook
> and record those birds, if they stick around.
>
> Nick
>
>
> Nick Bonomo
> Orange, CT