Night-calling bird in southern New Hampshire (1 Viewer)

[chlyn]

This bird sang at dusk and dawn, close to our campsite. At dusk, he would interrupt his song with a confused burble as he moved to another tree. It was almost like someone rewinding a tape, or rubbing their hands over their face. The song was something like what a child would come up with to imitate the rhythm of swinging on a swing set: "Doo-wee, wee-doo"

But what was really bizarre was this bird's eerie "night watchman" behavior. About once an hour, the bird would emit a short whistle, as if to say, "Two a.m., and all is well."

I'm assuming it was the same bird that sang at dusk and dawn, because we heard all three vocalizations (dusk, dawn, and "hour chime") so close to our tent.

What is this bird??? :eek!:

 

[bebirder]

The doo-wee wee-doo song you are describing is simiar to Whip-poor-will, but the habitat is incorrect.

Listen to the recording on this page and see if it is the same bird
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Whip-poor-will.html

 

[prairiemerlin]

I put my money on Northern Mockingbird - they are often vocal at night and make a wide range of sounds...

Neil G.

 

[BirdPhotography]

I was thinking Northern Mockingbird to. Mockingbirds tend to repeat there song or call 7 or more times.

 

[chlyn]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly! I have been going crazy trying to figure out which bird it is.

The whippoorwill's song wasn't a match. :-C

I had no idea there were mockingbirds in the northeast! The habitat that Cornell lists for them wasn't a match (open ground); is it conceivable that one might be found in a mixed forest?

 

[KC Foggin]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly! I have been going crazy trying to figure out which bird it is.

The whippoorwill's song wasn't a match. :-C

I had no idea there were mockingbirds in the northeast! The habitat that Cornell lists for them wasn't a match (open ground); is it conceivable that one might be found in a mixed forest?

Most certainly.

 

[Gentoo]

I don't think Mockingbirds occur in New England.

Strangely, I was thinking Eastern Wood-Pewee. I'm not sure about the night vocalization but your description matches the behavior of both pewee species quite well. Eastern's song is a clear whistled "pee-a-wee" last note rises slightly. Often alternates with "pee-suuurr" last note dropping slightly. Often at dawn and dusk, both species may occasionally break the monotony with a few gurgled and twttered notes.

Only thing is, I'm not sure if they sing this late in the season and I have never heard of them singing at night in any capacity.

check this link out
http://www.animalbehaviorarchive.or...ual,ascending=false+videoqual,ascending=false

 

[PrairieFalcon]

Did it sound like any of these:

Northern Mockingbird
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Mockingbird.html

Eastern Wood Pewee
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee_dtl.html

Im quessing that its a Northern Mockingbird. They often sing at night.

 

[chlyn]

Thanks; I will check those out.

It only sang at dusk and dawn. During the night, it would make a short whistle maybe once an hour.

 

[chlyn]

OMG, that's it, that's IT!!! Eastern Wood-Pewee!!!

Big (((((((((((( HUGS )))))))))))) all around!!!!!