Date: 4/15/24 9:18 am From: Gregory Hanisek via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] vireos, yes and no
We're at the stage where new species are showing up daily and bird song is also exploding - prime conditions for jumping the gun on audio IDs. The first vireo expected is Blue-headed Vireo, but at this time of year it's always prudent to back up sound IDs with visual confirmation.
I was reminded of this today while walking at Hop Brook Lake in Naugatuck. I heard high in trees among the usual Goldfinch cacophony and Titmouse variety, something that sounded like occasional vireo song notes. After working on this at 2 locations I realized this was the result of Purple Finches singing a single intro note, rather than a full song. The situation became clear when the distinctive pik, pik-pik call notes were mixed in.
I learned this source of confusion many years ago while fall hawk-watching at Lighthouse Point in New Haven. I was hearing what I thought were Blue-headed Vireos but the late date gave me pause. The answer was the simple and obvious one - get a look at the bird, which proved to be a Purple Finch, presumably a young male in female-like plumage.
Greg Hanisek CT eBird Reviewer
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