At 07:43 AM 3/28/2002, Kevin Colver wrote:
>The Western Meadowlark displays a burst of song in Sep/Oct. I have
>guessed that birds are establishing winter feeding territories. Does
>anyone know for sure? Anyone have BNA to look it up? Do females also
>sing and establish winter territories?
Jaramillo, in New World Blackbirds, the Icterids", says only: "Males are
highly territorial and may sing up until the late summer, after the second
brood has been raised". No word on female singing. I don't have the BNA
account yet.
>I have also observed Townsend's Solitaire singing on winter feeding
>territories in areas of trees and bushes laden with small fruits and
>berries. These winter territories are vigorously defended (by male,
>female, or both?) then abandoned in April as the birds move to higher
>altitudes to establish nesting territories.
I have never heard them sing on their winter grounds in Arizona - only up
high on their breeding territories. The most we get from them around here
in winter is their metallic "squeak" call.
Doug
Doug Von Gausig
Clarkdale, Arizona, USA
Moderator
Nature Recordists e-mail group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists
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