ML106457751
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Adult Male - X
- Sounds
- Call; Song
- Playback
- Not specified
Media notes
iPhone6 voice memo
Observation details
Arrived at area of stakeout Chuck-will's-widow around 2030 hrs. Bird began singing at 2048 hrs from just south of bridge over Baker Brook. Relocated farther east, just west of Flying Moose Tote Road; then back around Valley Road, singing from both sides of the road near Baker Brook. When at close range, could hear a series of low, quiet grunt calls, all on the same pitch, immediately before singing bouts. The quality of these calls reminded me of Mangrove Cuckoo, only quieter and on an even tempo. These calls, as well as the bird's persistent singing and frequently relocating to multiple locations centered on Baker Brook (widening into a beaver wetland north of Valley Road) indicate territorial behavior. At around 2110 hrs was calling from west side of Valley Road just south of junction with Flying Moose Tote Road, quit and then flew north along Valley Road towards Baker Brook, flying directly over our heads at about 10 feet above the ground. A second bird followed a few meters behind it. It was getting dark and so no plumage details were visible, i.e., the birds were mostly silhouettes. However, they appeared structurally similar, being fairly large and long-winged (compared with Whip-poor-will). We did not hear Whip-poor-wills in the area (even distantly). We left the area at 2119 hrs, with the bird continuing to sing almost constantly. We could faintly hear it from Valley Road at the junction of the trail to the Baker Brook campsite, i.e., probably over a kilometer away. To my knowledge (as of 4 July) this is the only report, even one as unsubstantiated as this one, of a second bird (presumably a female). Although I think this second bird almost certainly indicates a pair on territory, and thus likely breeding, due to inability to adequately document this I'm entering only as "T (Territorial Defense)".
Technical information
- Recorder
- iPhone6 voice memo function
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 89.32 KB