[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Pacific-slope Flycatcher nay-sayers



This so much reminds me of a certain bird (and a breeding bird at that) in 
southeast Pennsylvania during our 5 year breeding-bird census.  In my 
"block", I was well aware of a certain Blue-winged Warbler which nested in a 
particular area for three consecutive years (that I was aware of).  I knew 
that area very well.  Anyway, every time -EVERY- that I heard that male 
Blue-winged calling, from early arrival until fall departure, this particular 
individual sang nothing except an exact-sounding Golden-winged Warbler call 
!!  I would lead bird trips there and inevitably certain people were so 
excited that they had heard a Golden-winged (a very rare occurence in this 
particular part of the state).  I knew that feeling.  
This particular bird was so intriguing that certain members of the Academy of 
Natural Sciences in Philadelphia wanted to "collect" the bird for further 
analysis.  It never happened (that's another story).  Of course, it is not 
uncommon that a Blue-winged will occassionally belt out the Golden-winged 
song intermittently BUT not all the time throughout the year.  And as far as 
responding to tapes, I experimented with that very briefly during early 
breeding season.  When the bird first arrived on territory for the third year 
(I went there every single day searching for it), I played the song of a 
Golden-winged Warbler.  I watched that bird before and during the playing of 
the tape.  When it first heard the G-w song (I played it for about 10 
seconds), it looked my way, paused singing for about a minute, never moved, 
then went back to singing the Golden-winged song.  However, as soon as I 
played that Blue-winged song for 10-12 seconds, the bird was obviously 
disturbed.  It flew to within 10 feet of me and loudly sang back.  And what 
did it sing??  The Blue-winged song for about 2-3 minutes and then it flew 
off only to "revert" back to the uncharacteristic Golden-winged song (!)  
Aren't birds SO intriguing???!!!  This was the only time I had ever heard 
this bird sing a B-w song.  And for reasons all should understand, I never 
attempted playing any tapes after that. Also, for the record; No, this bird 
was in no physical way a hybrid (Lawrence's/Brewster's).  Was it a hybrid 
which maintained  100% of the physical characteristics of a Blue-winged? 
Never determined.  
Just thought I'd share this story with everyone.

Jerry Pasquarella
Greer, SC
JERfalcon@aol.com