ML573143301

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Behaviors

Vocalizing

Observation details

Two close together series of rapid “tootootootootootootoo” notes at 5:27, followed at 5:56 by a more yelping “yupupupupupup” that preceded two quavering “ooot, ooot” notes. Bird flew in on its own at around 6:10 (30 m NNW, 40 ft off ground), began calling and moving about in trees directly above me for next 12 minutes. Incredible to view them in-flight. Not much bigger in terms of mass than a robin, but shorter in length, and very chunky. Extraordinarily fast wingbeats, truly does resemble an over-sized sparrow (albeit with an enormous head relative to body-size) when in flight. That said it is not an exceptionally strong flier; it takes several seconds for it to pick up speed following liftoff, has to put in much effort. Disappeared back up ridgetop thereafter and was silent until it vocalized at 7:04, another rapid series of soft toots followed at the end by two single notes, and again at 7:08. High degree of activity and territoriality strongly suggests they are breeding at this site.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

25600

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

2194 pixels x 1463 pixels

Original file size

892.18 KB