Date: 3/17/25 9:43 am From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Re: Merlin hears BCCH?
Cynthia,
The hybrid range in WV for chickadees in WV is large enough that most birds
should probably be identified based on visual field marks and not audio
clues. While that is probably too much for every-day casual birding, at the
very least out of range chickadees should be identified based on an
analysis of field marks.
Merlin is quite bad at differentiating the species, at least in WV. While
some of this is undoubtedly due to the hybridization issue, it confidently
identifies CACH in Canaan Valley for me all the time where CACH don't
really venture. It also kicks up BCCH in my back yard where "my" chickadees
show no visible BCCH signs.
People seem to perform similarly, again likely because of the extent of
hybridization and similarity of vocalizations.
For eBird purposes, where data quality is the priority, such records that
are not substantiated do not get confirmed. You can submit whatever you
like though for your own personal records.
As for the White-crowned Sparrow, if you have recordings that substantiate
that ID, that would be confirmed in that case. It's up to you whether you
submit sightings that are Merlin heard only for your checklist.
Merlin should be used as a guide as to what may be there, and attempts to
confirm for yourself should be made of possible. Merlin only sightings with
no audio uploaded and no other description or evidence tend to get
unconfirmed by eBird Reviewers.
Good birding,
Derek
Sent from My Xfinity Mobile Device
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 11:55 AM cynthia burkhart <
<000000990b36e23b-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Every March, Merlin says it hears a black- capped chickadee at my yard in
> Ritchie county. This year it also heard a white-crowned sparrow. Both are
> indicated by Merlin as rare/ uncommon. I cannot hear bird songs anymore,
> but 10 years ago I regularly heard the black- capped chickadee song.
> However, when I reported it on ebird, it was discounted by a reviewer
> unless I had a photo. It was suggested that I could be hearing a CACH that
> had learned the BCCH song…but wouldn’t that mean that the 2 were in the
> same area for one to learn the other’s song?
> Anyway, I’m wondering if I should believe Merlin and report the BCCH and
> WCSP?
> Or could I send the Merlin recordings to a reviewer?
> All opinions are welcome!
> Cynthia Burkhart
> Ritchie county, WV
> Sent from my iPad
