Unknown Bird Call - Marin County, California (1 Viewer)

[Natalie]

Today I've been hearing a bird calling from the top of an oak tree, and I can't for the life of me spot the bird making the noise. I think it calls from inside the canopy so it's hidden from view. I did get a short video that records the call... It's the call at 5, 13, 14, 24, and 35 seconds into the video.

Link to video

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[cjay]

Very difficult, try waiting for the bird to appear. This is the way we learned before the internet made birding so much easier.

 

[Natalie]

I've probably spent a total of two hours today waiting for the bird to appear, and so far it hasn't made itself visible (at least not when I've been out there). I have class soon so I can't wait much longer, unfortunately, so that's why I finally recorded it and put it online.

 

[logsaysned]

Sounds to me like a Pacific-slope Flycatcher

 

[MLoyko]

Sometimes when I hear a bird I can't see I make noises like " pssh pssh pssh pssh pssh pssh" varying the volume or tone and usually the hiddens birds come jetting out to check it out. Of course after I ID them or get the picture I need to ID them I let them go.

-Matt

 

[Natalie]

Yep, it's a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, thanks! This is the first time I have heard one near my house.

Pishing did absolutely nothing to lure it into view, and neither did my Northern Saw-whet Owl impression (that usually works if the pishing doesn't). Now that I know it's a flycatcher it makes sense... In my experience they generally don't care what you do to try to make them visible, they pretty much just ignore you.

 

[Natalie]

I spent a good amount of time looking for the bird again today, still with no luck... If the noise didn't periodically switch trees I'd be beginning to think someone had just taped some sort of speaker up there to mess with my head. :smoke:

On the bright side though, one of his relatives showed up and announced his presence loud and clear, moving from one exposed perch to another and calling loudly. This Ash-throated Flycatcher is a lifer for me.

 

[Dave B Smith]

This Ash-throated Flycatcher is a lifer for me.

And a great photo of a life bird! Congrats!