ML104428971
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Adult Male - X
- Sounds
- Call; Flight call
- Playback
- Playback used
Media notes
Calls given in flight from 0:00 - 0:012 in response to playback. From 0:012 - end of track were given from the top of a rock about 50 meters away. We were curious whether the birds would respond to playback for purposes of future presence/absence surveys.
Observation details
After five miles by foot (one way), three of which were off-trail, Luke George, Jill Wussow, and I found ourselves above 12,000ft in some of the highest reaches of the greater Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area. It was here, amongst unstable scree, alpine snowfields, and inaccessible crags, that we found a pair of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches carrying nest material to a crevice high on a 90 degree cliff face. There are only about 5 species that one might detect above 12,000ft in elevation. Any only about 3 that you'd expect to find feeding on open snow fields in New Mexico - Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, American Pipits, and White-crowned Sparrows. Fairly chunky, and chesty, overall with long attenuated wings. Warm brownish overall with rosy belly, and flanks, extending up to middle breast. Dark chocolate crown. Plumage distinctly worn overall. Heavy, all black, conical bill. Greater wing coverts were edged in broad, bright pink edges suggesting an ASY male - I suspect it's a bit early to have commenced prebasic molt and the worn body feathers support this suspicion. First found feeding on snowfields where they were hopping along quickly, unlike pipits which have a tendency to scuttle along and bob their tails in the process. In flight they had long bodies, slightly forked tails, and long pointed wings. This species hasn’t been confirmed as a breeder in New Mexico in 28 years, based on our pre-trip literature searches and conversations. Truly a highlight of my life and a long-awaited dream - a death march worth making. There is only one other well documented nest site for this species in the state and it was found on 21 August 1976. This trip was part of a preliminary survey for what will likely become a formal effort to document presence/absence of BCRFs in New Mexico at all historical summering sites.
Technical information
- Recorder
- iPhone X
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 359.32 KB