Mystery two-note bird call -- Raleigh NC, US (1 Viewer)

[Seagoat]

Been a looong time since I visited birdforum, but I had to come back for some identification help! Seems all the apps and websites in the world can't help me ID this bird.

I recorded this video yesterday morning (April 14th) at my apartment complex, which is surrounded by some lovely woods. A two-note bird call happens right after the recording starts. At the 0:44 mark or so, you can see a bird flying away across the lower right corner. I believe this is the bird in question, since I heard the call again from the direction it was heading, but it was was in flight too far away for me to get much more than "it seemed to have some reddish/brownish coloration." Hopefully the tiny bit of flight pattern you can see might help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzuRKEXYo4A

After living here for nearly 4 years, it's not something I've heard before. I'm always excited to add a new species to my Life List. You can imagine how absolutely giddy I was to sight my first Pileated Woodpecker a few months ago.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[RJP]

I know the sounds of most of the birds in the eastern U.S., and I did not recognize this one. However, it's probably a fairly common bird that is just singing some weird variant.

 

[Seagoat]

Thanks, Randy! You may be right. I'm going to keep an eye (and an ear) out to see if I can get more info to share, since not knowing exactly what it is will bug me.

If you know of a direction I should start looking in for variant calls of particular birds, I don't mind scouring the internet to see if I can confirm it!

 

[Kratter]

It sounds like a Blue Jay. They have lots of weird calls in their repertoire. Also Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow? American Crow

Andy

 

[Seagoat]

Thank you, Andy! I found this video of a Blue Jay calling in a very similar manner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8zHROkXQpU

That bird had more of a three-note call, and it retains some of the Blue Jay's "raucous" raspiness, but it's otherwise pretty darn similar.

 

[Seagoat]

SOLVED: The mystery bird is an Eastern Towhee who isn't finishing his sentences!

I heard the call again in the woods today, and I noted both the two-note and the typical "Drink Your Tea" song were used interchangeably by an ET. Hearing them sung together made the ID obvious!

Thanks again for the help -- and good call, Andy!