Sunday, March 10, 2013

A New Titmouse in the Neighborhood, part 2



In late fall, one Titmouse showed up.  It didn’t know any of the feeders and was clearly exploring.  About a month later, a second Titmouse appeared.  This bird was also unfamiliar with the territory and had to learn its way around the feeders.  Where did they come from?  

Then in February, the male began to sing and sing. His most-repeated song was similar to one of the standard Titmouse songs.  Here is an example of the more common song from the Holden Arboretum on March 20th, 2012 followed by a recording of the “new” backyard Titmouse on February 13, 2013.  His primary melody leaves out the second note of the song and sounds like he is inserting a rest where that note would be.  Can you hear how he prolongs the first note of the song instead of descending to the second pitch?




I don’t know if this Titmouse will decide to stay here or if he will move somewhere else in the area.  I will be listening for his characteristic song, though, and I hope he decides this would be a good home!




No comments:

Post a Comment