This 3-note song mystified me in my own backyard. I can usually identify birds by ear but this one stumped me for at least six weeks.
Finally, I recorded it outside my window and sent it to my friend Dr. Tony Bledsoe. Tony suggested a tufted titmouse. (Turn up your speakers to hear the song in the video above. Ignore the picture, the bird’s not in it.)
A few days later I saw the bird. No wonder we didn’t recognize the song! He’s a gray catbird that sounds nothing like his cohorts. (Turn your speakers back down for the audio below.)
“Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)” from xeno-canto 318616 by Ted Floyd
Most birds are silent in early July but the odd-sounding gray catbird is still singing in my neighborhood and I can guess why.
None of the lady catbirds like his song so he’s still calling for a mate.
He’s a bird with a bad pick-up line.
(video by Kate St. John)
Wow, how interesting. Never heard a catbird call like that, either, and I would have guessed Tufted Titmouse as well.
I recall seeing a video several years ago of a Yellow-throated Vireo singing a Blue-headed Vireo’s call, spot on. (If I recall correctly — it was on the PA Birds listserv, I think.) I’ve been a bit shy of birding by ear with the vireos ever since.
Could it be a young first year that hasn’t perfected the song yet? Or one that didn’t have a “father figure” to learn from?