Unknown Bird with Strange Call - Northern California (2 Viewers)

[Natalie]

This morning when I was doing a bit of birdwatching in my front yard, I heard a bird with a very strange, distinct call, one that I have never heard before. I got my camera and searched for the bird, but I could not find it. The call was very liquid sounding, similar to and of the same length of that of a Western Meadowlark (completely wrong habitat for those guys, though). Unlike the Meadowlark call, however, this bird's call was higher-pitched towards the end, rather than lower pitched. It was the same liquid, bubbly-type sound, though. The bird stopped calling once it reached about 90 degrees outside, but it may start again this evening.

The habitat is hilly, Oak/Bay/Redwood woodland with some areas of open space, with an elevation of about 350 feet. The bird was calling from near the top of a large Oak, but I was unable to see it anywhere, leading me to believe it may be a relatively small species. I've listened to at least 50 different calls from Cornell's "All About Birds" website, and still I have not found any birds that match the call. The closest one I found was still the Western Meadowlark, but the call I heard ascended in pitch, not descended. When I heard it I was certain it was some kind of Ictid, but I listened to all the calls of the local Orioles and Blackbirds, but none of them matched.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Storm-Petrel]

might be another icterid, or a sparrow of some sort?

 

[danehower]

the brown-headed cowbird has a rather bubbley song - does this work ?

 

[Natalie]

I was thinking of sparrows, but the only species I've seen around here are Dark-Eyed Juncos, California Towees, Spotted Towhees, and Golden-Crowned Sparrows. I guess I should start looking at species that may be here during the summer, though.

 

[Natalie]

Ahh... I think the Brown-Headed Cowbirds are a very close match. Aren't they residents of marshes, pastures, and other open, flat areas, though? If so, they're a long way from home (at least 10 miles). I didn't even think of the cowbird due to this being what I thought was the wrong habitat, but it sounds like that may be it.

 

[newarkbirdguy]

You might look at (or listen to) Black-Headed Grosbeak. The habitat and call sound about right. They can make all sorts of different noises, so there's lots of local variation. And the SF Bay area is crawling with them right now. I was at Garin Regional Park (east of Union City in the foothills) last weekend and they were the most common bird.

Also, they don't like to make themselves visible as much as other birds. I was hearing a gazillion of them but had to search to get good looks.

Andy - Newark, CA

 

[jcwings]

Andy may be on to something. Black-headed Grosbeak might be a good fit. Their song is about as loud as a meadowlark too.

You might try using this site, Natalie:
http://www.naturesongs.com/birds.html

Click on the link to Passeriformes (perching birds) to listen to some possibilities. While you won't find everything here you will find quite a bit.

Same goes for this next link which has some recorded songs listed with some species:
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/framlst.html

 

[Natalie]

I listened to the call of the Black-Headed Grosbeak, and the Brown-Headed Cowbird sounded like a much closer match. The only recording I found of the grosbeak was on the Cornell site, however, and I find that most of the recordings they have there are those of eastern birds (which frequently sound different). If that's the case with this species, then I guess the grosbeak could still be an option, especially if the habitat is right. The main difference between the call I heard and the Black-Headed Grosbeak's is that the latter is more like a series of regularly-spaced, two to three-note warbles, while the cowbird's call is more like a single, multi-note "sentence" (if that makes any sense). The call I heard had the more "sentence-like" structure.

 

[Natalie]

I just thought of another call-related identification I needed... This afternoon I heard a call that was like a slightly squeaky wheel turning slowly. I can't even translate what it sounded like into syllables, it just sounded like an extremely high-pitched squeaky wheel, and repeated about every 1.5 - 2 seconds. I'm pretty sure this is a Brown Creeper... Does that sound about right?

 

[Gentoo]

I think both of you calls are cowbird calls. Cowbirds occur in may different habitats as they search for mates and nests to parasitize. One such song the male may give sounds like a high liquid "teeee-tirtiritirtirtirtir" another is "glurp-glurp-tee-ti-ti-ti-" There are other similar songs Cowbirds give. Hope this helps.

 

[danehower]

Natalie - I think the squeaky wheel bird is a Black and white Warbler - what do you think ? I have been hearing quiet a few around myself.

 

[danehower]

Opps ! - Natalie, you are in CA . Do black and whites make it over that far? -

 

[jcwings]

Opps ! - Natalie, you are in CA . Do black and whites make it over that far? -

They do. Typically in fall with a very few over-wintering mainly in So CA. A spring B&W is quite rare but not out of the question. We just don't get to hear them singing out west very often!

 

[newarkbirdguy]

Up here in the Bay Area a Black-and-White Warbler is a rather remarkable vagrant. There was one hanging out in Milpitas this winter that many people were able to see and photograph, but that's the only one I've heard of in many years. Like JCWings said, in spring they are pretty much unheard of.

Andy - Newark, CA

 

[Natalie]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Black and White Warbler... This call was slow. It was more like:

Single squeak
[2 seconds]
Single squeak
[2 seconds]
Single squeak
[2 seconds]
Etc...

It sounded exactly like a slowly turning squeaky wheel (only I'm pretty sure there aren't any squeaky wheels up in the trees here). The warbler's call is more like a rapidfire series of squeaks, rather than single, spaced-out squeaks.

 

[jcwings]

It just occurred to me that fledgling Anna's Hummingbirds utter the highest-pitched thin squeak. Often repeated. It's almost inaudible but it is quite loud for such a small bird. I have fledgling Anna's hummers in my yard and local park at the moment so I know those are around. This could be what you are hearing. You may not be able to see the small thing in a tree or bush, but watch for a returning adult hummer to feed it.

 

[Natalie]

Hmm... It could very well be a young Anna's Hummingbird. That species is abundant around my house and I know there are at least five females living in or around my yard. There are also at least a few female Allen's Hummingbirds, if those are a possibility. These hummingbirds go through about two cups of nectar every few days.