ML575996201
Contribuidor
Fecha
Localidad
- Edad
- No especificado
- Sexo
- No especificado
- Sonidos
- Llamado; Canto
- Playback
- No se usó playback
Detalles de la observación
I wonder how often I might have seen or heard CHME in my previous panhandle grassland experience -- I thought I had put down a Lillian's or two a few winters ago. But sealed the deal here with not one, not two, but 6 total birds in this semi-arid sand sage and yucca grassland here on the side of the road. If I hadn't stopped for an eagle struggling through the winds right above the road, I don't think I'd have stopped. First cued into the possibility of EAME/CHME by their typical thin, scratchy, buzzy calls that immediately ruled out WEME. One bird I got decent documentation of was singing EAME/CHME songs, but with slightly higher peaks in pitch at the beginning of the songs. Song also has a slight peak in the middle, but does not rule out CHME. Roughly 15-20 mph winds from the north, so the recordings are rough, but diagnostic. On inspection of the bird as it perched atop yucca stalks, I noticed a very pale malar, relatively dilute and light streaking on the flanks, and a very white tail that nearly spanned from the outer retrices to the center -- all 4 outer retrices are covered in white. Decent photos of the one male -- who was likely chasing a female around when in flight with another meadowlark -- and also got video of him flicking in flight (poorly), perched, and flicking his tail. I don't have video capabilities, so I'll find out how to get that posted here shortly. Edit: many screenshots of the video elucidate some of these features. Excellent location for them to be breeding, I would expect a few more to be found along this road in the future. For folks who'd like to peek around, the hotspot (yucca and sand sage grasslands?) is only 3-4 km west of this pin. Had at least two birds singing, another four calling and flying round with tails splayed.
Especies adicionales
Información técnica
- Grabadora
- Google Pixel 7
- Micrófono
- Accesorios
- Original file size
- 869.55 KB